ARSENAL are on the verge of 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 No 1 goalkeeper David Raya.
But the 30-year-old Spanish stopper, who just enjoyed a solid season as Bournemouth’s first-choice stopper, won’t settle for a No 2 spot under Mikel Arteta.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are “close” to activating Kepa’s £5m release clause, after he kept nine clean sheets in 31 Prem appearances this term.
Kepa has just 12 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, having made 35 appearances at Bournemouth in all competitions.
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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 former Blues owner Roman Abramovich paid for Kepa, who was also loaned out to play 20 games for Real Madrid last season.
Kepa fared much better at Bournemouth as Andoni Iraola’s side registered the joint sixth-best defensive record in the Prem.
Bournemouth keeper Neto has returned to the Vitality stadium after spending last season on loan with Arsenal, making just one appearance across the entire campaign.
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The Gunners 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.
Arteta has been a fan of Kepa for some time, valuing his ability to play out from the back, although there are doubts over whether Kepa would settle for a back-up option.
But ousting Raya from his established No 1 role will be difficult, even though he can’t beat Athletic Bilbao keeper Unai Simon to between the sticks for Spain.
The fellow Spaniard has won consecutive Golden Glove awards since his arrival from Brentford, forming the base of the Premier League’s most formidable defence.
Arsenal do have two young keepers on their books – 16-year-old Jack Porter and 18-year-old Tommy Setford both made their senior debuts in the Carabao Cup this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
