When Thibaut Cortouis was set to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid in 2018, the search for the next great goalkeeper with world-class potential began. Chelsea were convinced they had found the Belgian’s successor in Kepa Arrizabalaga. During the summer, the Spaniard was clapped at Stamford Bridge as the most expensive goalkeeper in history at 80 million euros. In the summer, Kepa will be sold, a buyout clause of 6 million euros says everything about the Spaniard’s status at Chelsea.
It has not been just Kepa’s fault, Chelsea have wobbled under constant changes of manager. Still, for Chelsea supporters, Kepa will be remembered for some horrendous goalkeeping blunders and the wild episode in the League Cup final against Manchester City 2019, where the goalkeeper refused to be substituted.
This season has been a huge success for Kepa as a Bournemouth goalkeeper on loan. His contract with Chelsea was about to expire this summer, but the London club exercised an option and extended it for another season before sending the Spaniard on loan to Bournemouth.
Here, Kepa has been a solid last line of defence, helping Bournemouth fight for the best tickets in Europe. According to The Telegraph, the club is now convinced and ready to sign Kepa on a permanent transfer in the summer. The very nice buyout clause of 6 million euros makes it easier, the challenge will be to take over the salary obligations he has at Chelsea for the next year of £74,000 a week.
But for Bournemouth, Kepa has shown he is worth it.
