Arsenal are close to finalising a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.
The Athletic reported on June 6 that Arsenal had made Arrizabalaga their top target as they look to recruit a deputy to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
Arsenal had previously targeted Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, but Barcelona now appear favourites to sign the 24-year-old.
Arrizabalaga has a £5million ($6.77m) release clause in his Chelsea contract, which he signed before joining Bournemouth on loan for the 2024-25 season. 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.
Having made only 20 appearances during a loan spell at Real Madrid in 2023-24, Arrizabalaga established himself as Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper last season, following Neto’s temporary switch to Arsenal. The 30-year-old kept nine clean sheets in 35 games for Bournemouth in 2024-25, as Andoni Iraola’s side registered the joint sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League.
Arsenal recruited Neto from Bournemouth on deadline day in August 2024 after allowing Aaron Ramsdale to join Southampton. The 35-year-old Brazilian returned to Bournemouth at the end of his loan deal.
Kepa willing to fight for place at Arsenal
Analysis by Arsenal correspondent James McNicholas
Arsenal’s staff are long-time admirers of Arrizabalaga, and this is not the first time his name has been raised in recruitment conversations at the club.
The affordable price means Arrizabalaga was expected to have various options this summer.
Arsenal already have an established No 1 in 29-year-old Raya. Arrizabalaga understands the existing hierarchy at Arsenal, after Raya’s strong performance in 2024-25, but is willing to fight for his place in north London.
Arsenal believe Arrizabalaga has shown in spells at Chelsea and Real Madrid that he has the attitude and professionalism to support a No 1, having acted at times as understudy to Edouard Mendy at the former and Andriy Lunin at the latter.
Additional reporting: James McNicholas, Jordan Campbell and Dan Sheldon
(Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
