Arsenal make Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga main goalkeeper target

New York Times

a day ago

Arsenal have made Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga their main target as they seek to recruit a backup goalkeeper this summer.
With Neto returning to Bournemouth after his loan, Arsenal are light on experienced goalkeeper options. After missing out on Espanyol's Joan Garcia, who looks poised to join Barcelona, Arsenal are turning their attention towards the 30-year-old. While other options remain under consideration, Arrizabalaga is currently the preferred candidate.
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The Spain international, who spent last season on loan at Bournemouth, has a £5million release clause in his Chelsea contract. Arsenal see that as a potential market opportunity, enabling them to recruit a goalkeeper with Premier League and Champions League experience for an affordable fee.
Arsenal are actively pursuing an agreement with the player and hope to persuade Arrizabalaga to join.
Arrizabalaga made 35 appearances in all competitions and kept nine clean sheets last season as Andoni Iraola's side finished ninth in the Premier League, their joint-best league finish with their most points (56).
The 13-time Spain international joined Chelsea from Athletic Club for £71.6 million in the summer of 2018 and has made 163 first-team appearances for the English club, where he has won four trophies including the 2021 Champions League.
Arsenal's staff are long-time admirers of Arrizabalaga, and this is not the first time his name has been raised in recruitment conversations at the club.
The affordable price means Arrizabalaga is expected to have various options this summer. One complication for Arsenal is that they already have an established number one in 29-year-old David Raya.
Arrizabalaga is aware that Raya is in a secure position as Arsenal's first-choice goalkeeper after a strong performance in 2024-25. Despite this, Arrizabalaga is still prepared to give Arsenal's approach consideration.
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