DONE DEAL: Arsenal signs an aggressive striker from top European club for a fee of £98million- Player given no.10 jersey
Arsenal have held talks over a possible deal to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea this summer, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners are active in the transfer market as they aim to build a stronger squad for the 2025/26 season.
Mikel Arteta’s side are keen on winning major trophies next term and are working to add depth in key areas.
One of those areas is the goalkeeping department, where Arsenal want to bring in solid competition for David Raya.
The club are looking for a second-choice keeper who can feature in domestic cup matches and also reduce Raya’s workload.
Arsenal were previously interested in signing Joan Garcia from Espanyol, but that move now looks unlikely.
Garcia is set to join Barcelona, and this has forced Arsenal to look elsewhere for a suitable alternative.
They have now turned their attention to Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is available for a fee of around £5 million, as per Romano.
The 30-year-old Spaniard could provide strong backup and valuable experience between the sticks for the north London club.
Kepa could bring solid cover and experience
According to Romano, Arsenal have already held early talks over a potential deal for the Chelsea goalkeeper.
They have made contact to understand the conditions of the transfer and what it would take to complete the signing. The 6ft 2in stopper is willing to take a pay cut to facilitate a move to Arsenal, as per Romano.
Kepa spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, where he played a key role during their Premier League campaign.
He helped Bournemouth keep eight clean sheets in the league, showing that he still has quality at the highest level.
Kepa joined Chelsea in 2018 for a then-world record fee for a goalkeeper and has played in several top matches since.
Despite some mixed performances in the past, he remains a calm shot-stopper with quick reflexes and good ball control.
His arrival at Arsenal would offer reliable cover, especially during busy fixture periods or in the event of injuries.
The move could benefit both the player and the club, as Arsenal aim to compete strongly on all fronts next season.
Arteta is said to admire Kepa’s experience and believes he could add strength and depth to the goalkeeping unit.
A deal is yet to be agreed, but talks are expected to continue as Arsenal weigh their options this summer.
