Arsenal targeting shock move for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga who’s available for just £5MILLION this summer
ARSENAL are targeting Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to fill their No.2 void.
The Gunners are on red alert with the Blues shot-stopper, 30 – who cost a record-breaking £72m back in 2018 – available with a release clause of just £5m this summer.
Kepa has just 12 months left on his contract at Stamford Bridge, having spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, making 35 appearances in all competitions.
It is understood Chelsea are happy to get Kepa off the books, and are in talks with AC Milan to sign 29-year-old Frenchman Mike Maignan, valued at around £21m.
Mikel Arteta brought in Cherries keeper Neto on Deadline Day last term on loan after selling Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton for £25m.
The Arsenal boss had hoped to sign Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, 25, for around £25m to compete with No.1 David Raya next campaign.
But it is understood that Barcelona are winning the race for Garcia, leaving Arteta to switch to other targets, and views the Kepa deal as a real bargain.
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.
SunSport understands that several clubs across Europe are also interested in the ex-Athletic Bilbao man, with some of them able to offer an appetising first-choice role.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola would also like to sign Kepa on a permanent basis, but cannot offer European football as a sweetener.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: ALL THE LATEST FROM THE SUMMER WINDOW
Should the Kepa deal also fall through, it is understood Arteta will find an alternative, but wants to sort this position quickly with other areas of the pitch in need of bolstering.
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 last season.
However, Arteta does not feel either are ready to take on such a big responsibility, while Setford could potentially head out on loan to gain some experience should the right opportunity arise, after joining from Ajax for £1m in July 2024.
It is understood that Setford is highly rated by Arteta, viewing him as a first-team player of the future.
Arsenal will also welcome back Karl Hein this summer, who spent last season on loan at Real Valladolid.
Hein signed a new contract before going out on loan and it is currently unclear what Arsenal’s plans are for him this summer.