Chelsea outcast Kepa lined up for shock transfer to Bournemouth but Blues fans fume about details of move
BOURNEMOUTH have emerged as shock suitors for Chelsea outcast Kepa Arrizabalaga, reports suggest.
The Spaniard is out of favour at Stamford Bridge after returning from a year-long loan spell at Real Madrid last season, where he made 20 appearances before he was dropped in favour of Andriy Lunin
And The Athletic now report that the Cherries are interested in bringing Arrizabalga to the Vitality Stadium on a loan deal.
However, for the 29-year-old to complete the move, he will first need to sign a contract extension.
With his contract set to expire in 2025, this move is likely because transfer chiefs do not want to lose him for free next summer.
But Blues fans have slammed this move, calling on the club to pursue a permanent exit for the goalkeeper.
Reacting on social media, one fan said: "NOT ANOTHER LOAN MAN AND ARE WE EXTENDING HIS CONTRACT TOO?"
A second said: "Obligation needed."
A third added: "Nah someone buy him I beg."
Another said: "Loaning him out in the final year of his contract is a nice summary of the disaster this transfer has been."
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Chelsea have been widely criticised for their transfer policy this summer that has seen them stockpile scores of young players while pushing out senior stars.
Conor Gallagher is the most high-profile academy star to have already left.
Other senior stars including Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah have been told they have no future at the club.
Arrizabalaga joined the west London club from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 and had made 163 appearances for the club's first-team.
His transfer fee of £72million remains the record transfer fee for a goalkeeper.
Bournemouth drew 1-1 with Nottingham Forest in their opening Premier League game and face Newcastle on Sunday.
The Cherries recently sold Dominic Solanke for a club-record fee of £65m, and have reinvested that money into buying Porto ace Evanilson for £40m.
Boss Andoni Iraola currently has Neto, Mark Travers and Will Dennis as his available goalkeepers.
In terms of incoming deals, Kepa would represent the eighth arrival of the window for Bournemouth.