Arsenal are nearing the final stages of a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners have made Arrizabalaga their top target as they seek to add a reliable deputy to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
Mikel Arteta’s side had previously been interested in Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, but Barcelona now appear to be the frontrunners to sign the 24-year-old.
Arrizabalaga has a £5million release clause in his Chelsea contract.
He signed a contract extension before joining Bournemouth on loan for the 2024-25 season.
This extension added an extra year to his deal, which now runs until June 2026, but it also included a significant reduction in his salary.
The Spanish goalkeeper joined Chelsea in 2018 for a £71.6million fee from Athletic Club and has made 163 appearances for the west London club, winning four major trophies.
After making just 20 appearances during a loan spell at Real Madrid in the 2023-24 season, Arrizabalaga established himself as Bournemouth’s first-choice goalkeeper last season.
This opportunity arose following Neto’s temporary move to Arsenal.
The 30-year-old keeper kept nine clean sheets in 35 games for Bournemouth during the 2024-25 campaign, helping Andoni Iraola’s side achieve the joint sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League.
Arsenal signed Neto from Bournemouth on deadline day in August 2024 after letting Aaron Ramsdale join Southampton.
The 35-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper returned to Bournemouth at the end of his loan spell.
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