Arsenal to sign Kepa in cut-price £5m transfer after triggering release clause

Kepa Arrizabalaga is set to sign for Arsenal in a £5m deal from Chelsea and will provide competition for fellow Spain international David Raya at the Emirates

Arsenal are closing in on a cut price £5m deal to sign goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea with the Spain international set to provide competition for compatriot David Raya. Kepa became the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge in a £72m deal seven seasons ago from Athletic Bilbao.

But he spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, starting all but three Premier League games, after signing a new deal at his parent club that included a £5m release clause and also saw his salary lowered significantly.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca does not consider him part of his plans going forward. He played 163 times for the club, keeping 59 clean sheets and winning four major honours. But he last featured for them in 2023 having also been sent on loan to Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances.

Bournemouth were keen on making his switch to the south coast permanent with head coach Andoni Iraola saying: “I think it is a matter of negotiating with Kepa himself and with Chelsea. I think both sides are very happy with his loan spell.'

However, Kepa, 30, is now set to become the latest player to swap Chelsea for the Gunners. Raheem Sterling spent a difficult spell on loan at the Emirates in the season just passed, alongside former Blues Kai Havertz and Jorginho. The Gunners had initially been keen on Espanyol's Joan Garcia, but he seems increasingly destined for Barcelona.

Mikel Arteta's pursuit of a new centre forward continues, meanwhile, with Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres near the top of their wishlist.

A deal to sign Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi is also progressing, with the Real Sociedad star having a £51m release clause.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have already landed striker Liam Delap from relegated Ipswich Town in what is expected to be another hectic transfer window in West London.

And the new addition is set to feature in the controversial FIFA Club World Cup that begins next weekend having not been selected by the England Under-21s for their defence of the European Championships.