Arsenal are closing in on a deal to sign Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to reports.
Kepa, who is still contracted to Chelsea until next summer despite not making a Blues appearance since 2023, has been on a season-long loan at Bournemouth, where the 30-year-old has impressed for Andoni Iraola’s side.
Prior to that, he had been on loan at Real Madrid, but now it is believed Mikel Arteta is interested in bringing his compatriot to the Emirates on a permanent basis, per The Athletic.
The outlet is reporting the Gunners have triggered the keeper’s £5 million release clause but, if a move does materialise, it is likely Kepa, who arrived at Stamford Bridge for £72million from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, will play second fiddle to first-choice stopper David Raya.
Arsenal are close to finalising a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
More from @David_Ornstein, @gunnerblog & @JordanC1107
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) June 7, 2025
Kepa made 35 appearances in all competitions for the Cherries last season, keeping nine clean sheets.
And Iraola has previously expressed an interest in keeping the player at the club but indicated a final decision has not yet been made.
“I think it is a matter of negotiating with Kepa himself and with Chelsea,” Iraola said.
“I think both sides are very happy with his loan spell.
“I think he has performed really well, and his character and experience have been very valuable for us. In a really young team, to have someone with his experience of fighting regularly for titles has been really lovely.
“But we still have Neto, [Mark] Travers and [Alex] Paulsen, so we will see in pre-season what decisions we take. There will definitely be changes in that position.”
