Kepa Arrizabalaga has been given a new lease of life on loan at Bournemouth from Chelsea and new the Cherries are said to be keen on securing the Spanish goalkeeper on a permanent deal
Bournemouth are keen to secure the services of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a permanent deal from Chelsea this summer, despite being linked with Liverpool’s Caiomhin Kelleher. The Cherries have been pleased with some top displays from the Spaniard in goal at the Vitality Stadium this season, helping them push for European football this season.
Kepa is the most expensive goalkeeper of all time after Chelsea signed him from Athletic Bilbao for around £71million in 2018, but he has produced some inconsistent displays at Stamford Bridge.
The 30-year-old spent last season on loan at Real Madrid and was sent to Bournemouth this season, with Enzo Maresca including him in his ‘bomb squad’ of players not featuring in his plans. According to the Sun, the Cherries are keen to rescue Arrizabalaga from his nightmare Chelsea spell and could snap him up for around £25million.
Kepa has been a near ever-present for Bournemouth this season, starting 25 of their 32 Premier League games so far and earning the trust of manager Andoni Iraola.
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As his loan deal nears its end this season, Arrizabalaga is now keen to gain some clarity on his future. The report adds that Kepa is “desperate” to stay on the South Coast and is willing to take a pay cut on his current Chelsea salary of £170,000-a-week.
It goes on to say that Kepa remains down the pecking order at Chelsea despite question marks over Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen – while even youngster Mike Penders is preferred by Enzo Maresca.
It also addresses speculation linking Bournemouth with Liverpool keeper Kelleher – who has suggested he could look to leave Anfield at the end of the season. The Irishman won’t be short of suitors should he formalise that decision, but for now, Iraola would rather keep Kepa.
When asked about Kepa’s future at Bournemouth, boss Iraola preferred to stay tight-lipped this month. “We’ll assess in the summer, that’s it,” he said. “Obviously there is people in the club working for next season, for whatever, like in other clubs.
“But me personally, I’m only thinking Monday, what’s the best lineup, what’s the best subs, who is available, who is not, who is in the good mindset, who is training better, who is not.
“And I will finish the season like this and not worrying too much about the things that may happen after or may not happen until the end of the season. I will not change my approach, definitely not.”
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