Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is undergoing a medical at Bournemouth ahead of a season-long loan move to the Premier League club.
The 29-year-old, who became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £71 million in 2018, spent last season on loan at Real Madrid.
Kepa will reunite with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, with whom he played together at Athletic Club nine years ago. Iraola acknowledged that “things are happening” regarding Kepa’s potential move but refrained from confirming the deal, stating, “Obviously he’s come from Chelsea and from Real Madrid, both very big clubs, and I think he is used to the pressure of playing for those kind of clubs.”
To facilitate the loan, Kepa will need to sign a contract extension with Chelsea, as his current deal expires at the end of the 2023-24 season. The move presents an opportunity for Kepa to establish himself as a regular starter, having lost his place to Andriy Lunin at Real Madrid in the second half of last season.
(FILES) Chelsea’s Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (L) dives for the ball during the UEFA Champions League, first-leg, round of 16 football match BVB Borussia Dortmund vs Chelsea FC, in Dortmund, western Germany, on February 15, 2023. Real Madrid has signed Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on season loan, AFP reports on August 14, 2023. (Photo by John MACDOUGALL / AFP)
Kepa has made 163 appearances for Chelsea, winning four trophies, including the 2021 Champions League. With the arrival of Mike Penders from Genk next summer, Chelsea’s goalkeeping ranks have been bolstered, allowing Kepa to seek regular playing time elsewhere.
