Bournemouth have made a call on whether to permanently sign Kepa Arrizabalaga when his loan transfer from Chelsea ends.
Kepa became the world’s most costly goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a fee of £71million.
Though he won the Champions League and Europa League, he struggled for form and consistency in west London and has spent the last two campaigns out on loan.
He barely played while at Real Madrid but has found a brand new lease of life at Bournemouth this season, conceding just 29 goals in 22 Premier League games, though he has made the odd howler.
The Spain international’s efforts have unexpectedly propelled the Cherries into the race for Champions League qualification, with the club just 4 points off the highest five.
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Much of the transfer speculation on the south coast has revolved around players Bournemouth could sell this summer including the £75m-rated Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool goal Milos Kerkez and Chelsea linked Dean Huijsen.
But Andoni Iraola’s side are also waiting for who they wish to sign and in response to The Times they’re more likely to attempt to sign Kepa permanently.
The report also adds that they will not be fascinated about bringing in Liverpool’s No.2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, at the very least not as a part of a swap deal for Kerkez.
It is alleged there may be a £5m release clause in Kepa’s contract which expires next 12 months and Enzo Maresca has no desire to make use of the 30-year-old despite Chelsea’s own goalkeeper issues.
Back in December it was reported that the keeper wasn’t fascinated about a everlasting move to the Vitality stadium but that stance can have modified given Bournemouth’s European aspirations.
Kepa was initially the hero on Sunday after brilliantly saving Erling Haaland’s penalty in Bournemouth’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City, but was criticised after failing to save lots of Omar Marmoush’s winning goal.
‘The keeper’s made a couple of mistakes recently against Spurs and Brentford and he won’t be blissful,’ Manchester United legend Roy Keane told ITV after the sport.
‘He’s got to save lots of this. At this level you may have to reserve it.’
Kepa will next be in motion when Bournemouth host Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.
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