Arsenal are on the verge of signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the deal nearing completion after the 30-year-old Spaniard agreed to join the Gunners and compete for a first-team spot.
The transfer, reported by The Athletic and led by journalists David Ornstein, James McNicholas, and Jordan Campbell, will see Arsenal activate a modest £5 million release clause in Kepa’s Chelsea contract, marking a significant bargain for a player once acquired for a world-record £71.6 million in 2018.
Kepa, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Bournemouth, where he kept nine clean sheets in 35 appearances, has emerged as Arsenal’s primary target to bolster their goalkeeping options following the departure of loanee Neto back to Bournemouth and the permanent transfer of Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton.
The Gunners had initially pursued Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, but with Barcelona now favored to sign the 24-year-old, Arsenal swiftly turned their attention to Kepa, viewing his Premier League and Champions League experience as a valuable asset for a relatively low fee.
The Spanish international, who has also had a loan stint at Real Madrid in 2023-24, is expected to serve as a deputy to Arsenal’s established first-choice goalkeeper, David Raya. Despite Raya’s secure position, Kepa is reportedly eager to fight for a starting role, bringing his professionalism and experience as an understudy to the Emirates.
His time at Bournemouth under Andoni Iraola was praised, with the manager highlighting Kepa’s character and title-winning pedigree as key contributions to the team, though Bournemouth opted not to pursue a permanent deal due to their existing goalkeeping options.
Arsenal’s move for Kepa represents a strategic acquisition, capitalizing on his reduced release clause, which was part of a contract extension with Chelsea until June 2026. The clause, activated after his Bournemouth loan, allows Chelsea to offload a player who has not featured for them since the 2022-23 season and has no long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
The £5 million fee is a stark contrast to the £72 million Chelsea paid Athletic Bilbao for Kepa, underscoring the financial loss but also Arsenal’s shrewd market opportunity.
Mikel Arteta’s side, aiming to maintain their competitive edge in the Premier League and European competitions, see Kepa as a reliable backup with the potential to step up when needed. His track record includes winning the UEFA Champions League with both Chelsea (2021) and Real Madrid (2024), as well as the UEFA Europa League, UEFA Super Cup, and La Liga titles, adding depth and winning mentality to Arsenal’s squad.
Sources: The Athletic, Daily Mail, Transfermarkt, BBC Sports
