Chelsea star close to sealing SHOCK transfer - Romano

Cameron Smith

26 Aug 2024 03:30 CDT
3 min read

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly close to joining Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal.

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The Spaniard spent last campaign on loan at Real Madrid, but Thibaut Courtois’ return to fitness and Andriy Lunin’s form ensured Los Blancos weren’t interested in signing him permanently.

Clubs in the Saudi Pro League expressed an interest in Kepa, but he is expected to join Bournemouth on loan, despite Chelsea’s desire to offload him on a permanent deal.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted on X: “Understand Bournemouth are closing in on [a] deal to sign Kepa from Chelsea!

“Still key details to sort but loan deal until June 2025 (extending his contract at #CFC until 2026) now close after late night talks.

“If all good later today, Kepa will travel for medical tests.”

Kepa remains the most expensive goalkeeper in football history, courtesy of his €80 million move from Athletic Club to Chelsea in 2018.

Following Courtois’ exit to Real Madrid, the Blues were desperate for a replacement and opted to spend a world record fee on Kepa.

That decision backfired immediately and the Spaniard was soon usurped by Willy Caballero and Edouard Mendy as the number one at Stamford Bridge.

Kepa’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has flatlined since 2022 and it currently stands at just €9.6m.

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

Chelsea’s summer offload spree

The summer transfer window closes in less than a week and several players are expected to leave Chelsea after being added to the club’s ‘Bomb Squad’ list.

Romelu Lukaku is on the verge of joining Napoli, while Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja and several others have been deemed surplus to requirements.

Despite their enormous investment so far this summer, Chelsea could still sign several more players before Deadline Day, with Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho among their transfer targets.