Arsenal ‘Close’ to Securing Deal for Chelsea Goalkeeper | OneFootball

Arsenal Close in on Kepa Arrizabalaga Deal as Goalkeeping Plans Take Shape

North London Move for Experienced Spaniard

Arsenal’s pursuit of squad depth appears to be heading into firm territory, with David Ornstein of The Athletic reporting that the club are “close to finalising a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.”

The Gunners, fresh from another promising domestic campaign, are looking to solidify the backup role behind first-choice keeper David Raya. Kepa, who spent last season at Bournemouth and previously served at Real Madrid, has emerged as their top target after a move for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia was eclipsed by growing interest from Barcelona.

The financials also make sense. According to The Athletic, “Arrizabalaga has a £5million ($6.77m) release clause in his Chelsea contract,” a reduction facilitated by an extension signed before his loan move to the south coast.

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This deal isn’t just about experience or affordability, it’s about trust. Arsenal’s recruitment team have long tracked the Spaniard, with his name reportedly “raised in recruitment conversations at the club” before.

Proven Experience in Premier League and Europe

Signed by Chelsea in 2018 for £71.6 million, Kepa Arrizabalaga has been no stranger to the pressures of top-flight football. His time at Stamford Bridge brought four major trophies, but also periods of inconsistency. Despite that, his professionalism and willingness to operate in a supporting role have remained intact.

Last season at Bournemouth, Kepa rediscovered rhythm and regular football. Featuring in 35 league matches, he kept nine clean sheets, helping Andoni Iraola’s side to one of the league’s best defensive records.

While his spell at Real Madrid in 2023/24 was limited to just 20 appearances, his willingness to serve behind Andriy Lunin further reinforced his reputation as a team-first player.

Tactical and Financial Fit for Arsenal

Arsenal’s move for Neto last season, brought in to cover for Aaron Ramsdale’s loan to Southampton, was always a temporary fix. With Neto now back at Bournemouth and Ramsdale’s Arsenal career effectively over, the need for a dependable, experienced deputy to Raya has grown.

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Arrizabalaga understands the hierarchy. As The Athletic notes, “Kepa is willing to fight for his place in north London,” aware of Raya’s stronghold on the No. 1 jersey.

In an era where elite clubs need two reliable goalkeepers across domestic and European fronts, Arsenal’s pursuit of Kepa is both logical and cost-effective. At £5 million, the former world-record signing for a goalkeeper is suddenly a shrewd, measured investment.

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For Arsenal fans, the imminent signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga is reassuring. Not every transfer must be headline-grabbing—sometimes the best business is in quiet, intelligent reinforcement.

Kepa brings more than just experience. He brings calmness, familiarity with the English game, and the humility to operate as a No. 2 without disrupting the dressing room dynamic. His performances for Bournemouth showed he still has the shot-stopping reflexes and positional awareness to step in when needed.

Importantly, this deal doesn’t block youth prospects but gives the club breathing space to manage minutes smartly, especially with the Champions League and domestic cups looming.

For those still haunted by the memory of Kepa’s fluctuating form at Chelsea, it’s worth noting that Arsenal is a very different environment. Under Mikel Arteta, the culture is built on unity, competition, and clear roles. That kind of setup could bring the best out of Kepa once more.

In short, this move may not dominate back pages, but it’s exactly the kind of strategic planning top clubs need to stay at the top.