Arsenal are finalising the shock signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, talkSPORT understands.
The Gunners have been out there for a back-up to David Raya with Neto to return to Bournemouth having made only one look throughout his mortgage keep.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect had been eager on a transfer for Espanyol star Joan Garcia, however the Spaniard is ready to snub a change to the Emirates to affix Barcelona.
And Arsenal have moved quick in firming up curiosity of their various, with Kepa poised to make the change from west to north London.
Kepa loved a powerful season on mortgage at Bournemouth the place he featured in 31 Premier League video games – serving to the Cherries to ninth spot.
It’s understood that Arsenal are actually set to activate the 30-year-old’s £5m launch clause at Stamford Bridge.
The buyout clause was included in Kepa’s contract final 12 months when he signed a brand new one-year deal at Chelsea because the membership regarded to keep away from dropping him on a free switch in 2025.
It is a discount charge for the Champions League semi-finalists, with Kepa nonetheless the world’s most costly goalkeeper.
Chelsea forked out a whopping £71.6m in 2018 from Athletic Bilbao, however he struggled for type as he competed with Edouard Mendy for a spot within the line-up.
And it’s believed that Kepa is up for the struggle for the No1 jersey at Arsenal with two-time Golden Glove winner Raya.
Private phrases have been agreed with Kepa and Arsenal because the membership shut in on their first signing of the summer season.
Arsenal are believed to have already struck an settlement to signal Kepa’s Spanish compatriot Martin Zubimendi from Actual Sociedad.
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However that signing is probably not introduced till July amid claims that Sociedad would moderately the £51m charge be of their accounts for subsequent 12 months versus this 12 months.
talkSPORT additionally understands that the membership are weighing up which striker to signal out of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres.
In the meantime Actual Madrid winger Rodrygo – a teammate of Kepa’s in the course of the goalkeeper’s mortgage spell within the 2023/24 time period – has been earmarked as a key goal.
Ought to Kepa’s transfer to Arsenal undergo as anticipated, he’ll change into the fifth participant to instantly transfer to the membership from Chelsea since 2019.
David Luiz linked up at Arsenal six years in the past, with Jorginho and Kai Havertz additionally signed on everlasting offers, whereas Raheem Sterling joined on mortgage final summer season.
And Arsenal additionally snapped up Willian on a free switch in 2020 following his launch at Chelsea, although he in the end flattered to deceive.