Bournemouth are in talks with Chelsea over one loan deal for goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, a report has revealed.
Kepa is available for loan this summer after entering the final 12 months of his contract and is keen to return to Real Madrid, where he spent last season on loan to help cover Thibaut Courtois’ injury.
Madridhowever, they are not ready to move for Kepa while current prop Andriy Lunin remains on the books. It was recently reported that the The Ukraine international plans to let his contract expire next summer, meaning Kepa’s chances of returning to the Santiago Bernabéu appear slim.
Meanwhile, The Athletic claims Bournemouth have identified Kepa as their top goalkeeping target ahead of the close of the summer transfer window.
Talks have been held with both Chelsea and Kepa himself as the Cherries look to agree a loan deal for the 29-year-old.
Kepa’s contract expiring gives Chelsea a decision to make. While there are no legal rules preventing a player in the final year of his contract from leaving on loan, authorizing such a deal would effectively mean Chelsea would have agreed to lose the world’s most expensive goalkeeper on a free transfer next summer .
As a result, a one-year extension could be discussed, ensuring Chelsea remain in the same negotiating position in the summer of 2025.
Bournemouth have other potential targets, including Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale, but are currently focused on securing Kepa’s signature. Ramsdale has also been linked with the likes of Southampton and Wolves.
Chelsea rejected a bid for Kepa from Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad earlier this summer but are keen to find a permanent buyer, although with just seven days left in the window, the Blues could have the temptation to agree a loan contract.
A loan to another Premier League club would be preferable to a temporary move to another country, which would take up a valuable overseas loan spot.
