Arsenal have activated Kepa Arrizabalaga’s release clause and completed the documentation for his transfer from Chelsea, according to reports.
Football insider Hand of Arsenal and Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano report that Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to join Arsenal as David Raya’s backup, with the Gunners now having activated the goalkeeper’s £5m release clause.
The pair confirm that Kepa, Arsenal, and Chelsea have completed all of the documentation for his transfer, and it’s effectively a done deal at this stage.
Fans will have to wait on the official announcement by the club, but it’s only a matter of time now.
James McNicholas had reported for The Athletic earlier this week that Kepa was expected at London Colney this week ahead of his £5m move, with David Ornstein previously writing for the same outlet that the goalkeeper had agreed to join.
Ornstein suggested there were a number of factors making the move a sensible one, as a low-cost option with experience on the back of a positive loan spell at AFC Bournemouth.
The journalist added that Kepa isn’t joining the club expecting to immediately displace Raya, and he’s open to fighting for a place.
Kepa is a long way off first choice with Chelsea, and he’d definitely have a better chance at minutes in north London. The goalkeeper has also shown he’s able to accept a backup role in the past, most notably during his loan spell with Real Madrid.
After beginning the 2023/24 season as Real Madrid’s starting goalkeeper, the Spaniard suffered an Adductor injury in November, and returned to find Andriy Lunin had taken his spot.
Kepa only made six appearances in the final six months of that season, but he didn’t kick up a fuss about it. With any luck, he’ll be similarly professional operating as Raya’s backup next season.