Arsenal set to sign Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga

Arsenal are poised to pursue Chelsea outcast goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this summer as they seek a backup for first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal are set to sign the Spanish goalkeeper, with an agreement in place to finalise the 30-year-old’s transfer to join the London rivals.

Kepa has reportedly agreed to join Mikel Arteta‘s side to fight for a place in the squad – potentially to replace Raya, who has won consecutive Golden Glove awards since joining Arsenal as the No. 1.

Despite Arsenal and the player willing to complete a move – Kepa’s £5 million release clause in his contact is yet to be triggered.

According to journalist David Ornstein, Arsenal are close to finalising a deal.

David stated on his X(Twitter)page: “Arsenal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea. Deal in process of being finalised after 30yo Spanish goalkeeper agreed to join #AFC & fight for place. £5m release clause in #CFC contract will need activating”

Kepa joined Chelsea for a record £71.6 million from Athletic Bilbao in August 2018, but have since failed to live up to his high transfer fee – the most expensive goalkeeper in history.

The Spanish international featured 163 times for the West London side, winning four major honours. He was also loaned out to play 20 games for Real Madrid last season.

Kepa was outstanding at Bournemouth for Andoni Iraola, where the club registered the joint sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League.

His impressive season on loan with Cherries, where he featured in 31 Premier League games, helped the side to ninth spot.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal are “close” to activating Kepa’s £5m release clause, after he kept nine clean sheets in 31 Premier League appearances this term.

The buyout clause was included in Kepa’s contract last year when he signed a new one-year deal at Chelsea as the club looked to avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2025.

The Gunners had been linked with a move to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, but the La Liga shot stopper now looks set for a move to Barcelona.

Now, they turn their attention to Kepa despite having the best goalkeeper in Raya, who has helped the club to form the base of the Premier League’s most formidable defence.

Arsenal do have two young keepers within their ranks – 16-year-old Jack Porter and 18-year-old Tommy Setford both made their senior debuts in the Carabao Cup this season.

Should Kepa’s move to Arsenal go through as expected, he will become the fifth player to directly move to the club from Chelsea since 2019.

David Luiz donned the Red and White jersey six years ago, with Jorginho and Kai Havertz also signed on permanent deals, while Raheem Sterling joined on loan last summer. Arsenal also convinced Willian to join on a free transfer in 2020 following his release at Chelsea.

Arteta has admired Kepa for some time, valuing his ability to play out from the back, although there are doubts over whether Kepa would settle for a back-up role.