Arsenal set to seal shock £5m transfer for Chelsea’s Kepa Arrizabalaga with keeper set to fight David Raya for No1 spot
ARSENAL are on the verge signing Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, reports claim.
And the Gunners will pay just a £5m release clause to their London rivals, who once made Kepa the world's most expensive goalkeeper.
Arsenal had made Kepa their top target as they look to recruit a deputy to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
But the 30-year-old Spanish stopper, who just enjoyed a solid season as Bournemouth's first choice stopper, won't settle for a No 2 spot under Mikel Arteta.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are "close" to activating Kepa's £5m release clause, after he kept nine clean sheets in 31 Prem appearances this term.
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.
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The Spaniard joined Chelsea for a £71.6m fee from Athletic Club in 2018 and has featured 163 times for the West London side, winning four major honours.
Arsenal will pay 14 TIMES less than Chelsea paid for Kepa who was also loaned out to play 20 games for Real Madrid last season.
Kepa fared much better at Bournemouth as Andoni Iraola’s side registered the joint sixth-best defensive record in the Prem.
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Bournemouth keeper Neto spent last season on loan with Arsenal, making just one appearance across the entire campaign.
And the 35-year-old Brazilian has returned to the Vitality Stadium this month.
Arsenal had been linked with a move to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, but the La Liga gloveman now looks set for a move to Barcelona.
But ousting Raya from the No 1 role will be difficult.
The fellow Spaniard has won consecutive Golden Glove awards since his arrival from Brentford, forming the base of the Premier League's most formidable defence this season.
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