Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is set for a season-long loan at Premier League rivals Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old – the world’s most expensive stopper after moving from Athletic Bilbao for more than £71m in 2018 – has also extended his contract at Stamford Bridge by a year to 2026 to avoid him leaving for nothing after his loan spell on the South Coast.
🚨🍒 EXCL: Kepa to Bournemouth, deal done and medical tests ongoing now at #AFCB ground!
Kepa signs one more year of contract at Chelsea now valid until June 2026 and joins Bournemouth on loan until July.
Agreement done between all parties. pic.twitter.com/IdH8eIBoPR
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2024
Kepa made 20 appearances on loan at Real Madrid last season, deputising for the injured Thibault Courtois and winning La Liga and the Champions League.
He has however been one of more than a dozen senior players who have been training separately from boss Enzo Maresca’s first team squad, with Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell also deemed surplus to requirements.
The signing will end Bournemouth’s interest in Arsenal and England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and may see Mark Travers leave the club before the end of the transfer window on Friday night.
Kepa rejected a transfer to Saudi side Al-Ittihad in July but Chelsea have continued to bring in keepers, with 19-year-old Belgian Mike Penders agreeing a £17m move on Tuesday, though he will remain at Genk until next summer.
