Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to be Arsenal’s second signing of the summer, as he’s expected at London Colney this week to complete his transfer from Chelsea.
James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that with Martin Zubimendi’s transfer from Real Sociedad to Arsenal now just waiting on the official announcement, the Gunners’ next summer arrival is likely to be Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga.
McNicholas writes that Kepa is expected at London Colney this week ahead of a £5m move from Chelsea. That’s the value of the player’s release clause, after he signed a new contract with the Blues last summer.
David Ornstein previously reported for the same outlet that Kepa had agreed to join Arsenal, with a number of factors making the move a sensible one.
The Gunners were on the lookout for a low-cost option to compete with David Raya, and Kepa has both the experience and the willingness to do just that following a positive season on loan with AFC Bournemouth.
Ornstein suggested the goalkeeper 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 his current club, 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 second half of his previous 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 if he ends up behind Raya next season.