Chelsea in talks with Premier League rivals over €80m star - Ornstein

Tom Weber

• Updated: 23 Aug 2024 13:51 BST
• 3 min read

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Chelsea are in talks with Bournemouth over Kepa Arrizabalaga, according to David Ornstein.

The Spanish goalkeeper has no future at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are keen to finally offload him, with Kepa never having managed to live up to his world-record €80 million price tag.

After spending the previous season on loan at Real Madrid, the 29-year-old had been keen to remain in his home country and, preferably, with Los Blancos. This, however, is now looking increasingly unlikely.

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According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, the shot-stopper is the subject of negotiations between Chelsea and Bournemouth. The Cherries are looking to initially loan Kepa for the 2024/25 campaign.

At this point in the negotiations, it is not yet clear whether it would only be a straight loan or one with a purchase option. What is clear, however, is that Chelsea will have to extend the goalkeeper's contract if they want to receive a fee for him. The Spaniard's current deal expires next summer.

Bournemouth's high-profile keeper targets

Kepa has become the latest big name to be targeted by Andoni Iraola's side as they look for an upgrade on Neto. Previously, the Cherries were waiting for the green light to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili, but that green light never came.

The deal would have been structured in a way that Bournemouth would have received the Georgian for a season before he would have moved to Liverpool next summer as a way of circumventing Premier League rules. The Valencia star, however, snubbed Bournemouth and will instead remain on loan with his LaLiga side.

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Bournemouth have also been credited with an interest in Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale, who is keen on becoming a first-choice option again elsewhere. However, unlike other suitors such as Wolves and Southampton, the South Coast side have yet to table an offer for the 26-year-old.

Ornstein reports that Kepa has become the Cherries' top target for the goalkeeper position.