Bournemouth are looking to complete a loan deal for Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga. The Spanish international spent last season on loan at Real Madrid helping them win the Champions League, but is now totally out of the picture at Stamford Bridge.
The Cherries switched goalkeepers late into last season with Neto losing his place and Andoni Iraola is still not set on a number one. Despite links to Aaron Ramsdale in recent days, Bournemouth are now eyeing up an ambitious move for the most expensive goalkeeper in history.
Bournemouth looking to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga
It’s been a meteoric fall from grace for Arrizabalaga who was signed by Chelsea as the world’s most expensive goalkeeper at £75 million. However, since then he’s lost the number one spot, failed to secure a permanent move to Real Madrid and now can’t make the matchday squad for the Blues.
Over the past three seasons with Chelsea, Arrizabalaga has started just 39 league games, the bulk of which came in the 2022/23 campaign. He then made just 13 La Liga starts and is now seemingly banished from first-team involvement on matchdays.
David Ornstein is now reporting that Arrizabalaga may well have a lifeline to get out of Stamford Bridge and Chelsea’s bloated squad. Bournemouth are said to be keen on his services, albeit just on a season-long loan.
The Cherries seemingly have a habit of pulling off major coups in terms of goalkeepers, having signed Neto from Barcelona in 2022. However, to bring in a two-time Champions League winner and someone who is still the most expensive shot-stopper of all time would be a major move.
Cherries hoping to take the next step
Having lost Dominic Solanke for £65 million, the Cherries were facing a sort of rebuild with fans knowing the club had money burning a hole in their pocket. However, they’ve responded well with the signing of Evanilson for a club-record fee and now a two-time Champions League winner is on their radar.
It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that Arrizabalaga will be a Bournemouth player by the end of next week’s deadline, but the signs are positive. As mentioned above, Ramsdale is still reportedly a target for the Cherries, but Arsenal are said to only be open to a permanent deal.
While Arrizabalaga has often been cast aside in recent times, in his last two seasons he’s managed to show some of his qualities. The Spanish international has boasted a save percentage of over 73% in his past two starting campaigns in both La Liga and the Premier League, so there’s still a talented goalkeeper there.
