Arsenal are on the verge signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, reports claim.
And the Gunners will pay just a £5m release clause to their London rivals who once made Kepa the world’s most expensive goalkeeper.
Arsenal had made Kepa their top target as they look to recruit a deputy to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
But the 30-year-old Spanish stopper, who just enjoyed a solid season at Bournemouth, won’t settle for a No 2 spot.
According to the Athletic, Kepa is on the cusp of moving to the Emirates after keeping eight clean sheets in 31 Prem appearances this term.
Kepa has a £5m release clause in his Chelsea contract, which he signed before joining the Cherries on a season-long loan.
That extension added a year onto his terms, which now run until June 2026, but also significantly reduced his salary.
The Spaniard joined Chelsea for a £71.6m fee from Athletic Club in 2018 and has featured 163 times for the West London side, winning four major honours.
Arsenal will pay 14 TIMES less than Chelsea paid for Kepa who was also loaned out to Real Madrid last season.
Bournemouth keeper Neto spent last season on loan with Arsenal, making just one appearance across the entire campaign.
Arsenal had been linked with a move to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, but the La Liga gloveman now looks set for a move to Barcelona.
The Sun
1 Comment
Stay worrying about the wrong things. They first benched leno and went for aaron ramsdale. Then they sold him for rayna now they want kepa? How many goal keepers under arteta?