Bournemouth agree deal to sign Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan - Romano

Cameron Smith

27 Aug 2024 06:01 CDT
3 min read

Kepa Arrizabalaga, Real Madrid, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Bournemouth have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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The Spaniard was expected to leave Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal this summer, but he will instead join Andoni Iraola’s side on a season-long loan move.

Kepa has also signed a one-year contract extension at Chelsea, meaning his deal with the Blues is now valid until 2026, while he is now undergoing medical tests at Bournemouth’s training ground.

Romano has confirmed that an agreement has been reached between all parties, with the deal now considered done.

Kepa spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, after Thibaut Courtois suffered a serious ACL injury, but Andriy Lunin stepped up and became the club’s number one shot-stopper.

The ex-Athletic Club ‘keeper had garnered interest from the Saudi Pro League earlier this summer, however he has opted against moving to the Middle East in favour of joining Bournemouth on a one-year loan deal.

Kepa remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, courtesy of his €80 million move to Chelsea in 2018. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV), however, has dropped to a mere €9.6m.

© IMAGO - Kepa Arrizabalaga spent last season on loan at Real Madrid

Mike Penders joins Chelsea

News of Kepa’s imminent loan move to Bournemouth comes after Chelsea announced the signing of KRC Genk goalkeeper Mike Penders.

The 19-year-old has signed an eight-year contract at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea have paid a reported fee of €20 million to acquire his services.

Despite completing a move to west London, Penders will remain at Genk on loan until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Penders is the fifth goalkeeper to sign for Chelsea since Todd Boehly’s arrival in 2022, with Gabriel Slonina, Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic and Filip Jorgensen also joining the club over the past two years.