Kepa, most expensive 'keeper ever, joins Arsenal for reported £5M

Chelsea took a gargantuan loss on Kepa Arrizabalaga after the goalkeeper joined London rivals Arsenal on Tuesday.

The deal was price simply £5 million after Arsenal triggered the goalkeeper’s modest launch clause, based on BBC Sport’s Nizaar Kinsella.

Kepa stays the world’s most costly ‘keeper after he joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao for £72 million in 2018. The 30-year-old spent final season on mortgage at Bournemouth.

The Spaniard will compete with compatriot David Raya to be Arsenal’s beginning goalkeeper.

“I believe we’re so near successful and, hopefully, altogether, we will obtain it,” Kepa mentioned in an Arsenal assertion.

Kepa gained the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Tremendous Cup, and Membership World Cup whereas making 163 appearances for Chelsea. Regardless of his successes, his spell in west London was blighted by errors and rampant criticism.

His lowest ebb with the Blues was maybe throughout his debut marketing campaign when he appeared to refuse his substitution close to the tip of additional time of the 2019 League Cup last. He then failed to guide Chelsea to victory over Manchester Metropolis within the shootout as backup ‘keeper Willy Caballero, who had a robust monitor report of saving penalties, watched on from the bench.

Kepa completed as a runner-up in three FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals with Chelsea.

Kepa was on mortgage at Actual Madrid the season earlier than his Bournemouth stint. He performed 20 instances throughout all competitions for Los Blancos and gained the Champions League, La Liga, and the Supercopa de Espana.

He is earned 13 caps for Spain.

“We’re actually joyful to have Kepa becoming a member of us,” mentioned Mikel Arteta. “He brings a wealth of expertise, which his teammates will profit from, and he has an actual starvation to win.”