Arsenal ‘keen’ on signing Chelsea keeper in bargain move | OneFootball

Arsenal Push Forward with £5m Move for Chelsea Goalkeeper

Arsenal Target Chelsea Stopper in Smart Squad Move

Arsenal are advancing in negotiations to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea, according to Sky Sports. The Gunners are expected to activate the £5 million release clause inserted into the Spaniard’s deal when he signed a contract extension last summer.

Kepa, who spent the 2024/25 season on loan at Bournemouth, started 35 league matches under Andoni Iraola and played a key role in the club’s best-ever Premier League finish. His performances, coupled with a willingness to adapt his wage terms, have attracted serious interest from Mikel Arteta’s side.

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Role Clarity and Internal Competition

Should the move materialise, Kepa will compete with David Raya, who recently secured a permanent transfer to Arsenal after a season-long loan. Neto, who served as a backup, has since returned to Bournemouth, creating a need for experienced cover in North London.

Photo: IMAGO

Arsenal reportedly admire Kepa’s attitude and his “desire to join and fight for his place in the team” was noted as a key factor in progressing the deal.

Strategic Depth Ahead of Busy Season

The club’s interest in Kepa reflects a strategic approach to bolstering the squad with experienced depth in key positions. At 30, Kepa offers both Premier League know-how and international pedigree, despite his career having hit a few bumps since his £71.8 million move to Chelsea in 2018.

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This feels like a move with more risk than reward. Signing a goalkeeper who was loaned out by a direct rival, and whose Chelsea career never lived up to the price tag, does not exactly scream ambition.

“Yes, he was decent at Bournemouth, but is he really better than Ramsdale?” one supporter asked online. “Or are we just collecting Spanish keepers now?”

There’s also concern about clarity. With David Raya already firmly embedded as the number one, what role does Kepa realistically play? Is he here to genuinely challenge, or is this simply a budget-friendly option to pad out the squad?

While his Premier League experience counts for something, the optics of signing a 30-year-old cast-off from Chelsea for a club with title aspirations may not land well with every section of the fanbase. Supporters will need convincing that this is more than just a convenient deal at a low cost.