BILBAO, SPAIN – DECEMBER 02: Kepa Arrizabalaga of Athletic Club looks on during the La Liga match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid at Estadio de San Mames on December 2, 2017 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Arsenal have strengthened their goalkeeping department with the unexpected signing of Spanish international Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a reported £5 million ($7 million).
The 30-year-old, who still holds the record as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71 million move from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, has joined the Gunners after spending the past two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth.
Despite a promising start at Stamford Bridge, Kepa struggled to maintain form and eventually slipped down the pecking order. Now, he is expected to serve as a back-up to Arsenal’s current first-choice goalkeeper, David Raya.
According to reports, Arsenal activated a £5 million buyout clause in the contract Kepa signed with Chelsea last year. His move marks the North London club’s first signing of the summer transfer window.
“I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it,” Kepa said in his first official statement as an Arsenal player.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta welcomed the addition, saying: “We are really happy to have Kepa joining us. He brings a wealth of experience, which his teammates will benefit from, and he has a real hunger to win. Kepa works hard and will elevate our levels. I know he will fit in perfectly, already knowing some of his teammates, and we are really excited about his future with us.”
The Gunners, who have finished second in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons, are keen to end their trophy drought, having last lifted silverware in 2020.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are also close to sealing deals for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Brentford captain Christian Norgaard, as Arteta looks to build a title-winning squad ahead of the new season.
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