According to English media, Arsenal will present Kepa Arrizabalaga (30) as their new goalkeeper this week. The Spanish goalie is joining from Chelsea, where a clause in his contract allows Arsenal to secure the deal for a relatively small fee.
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Arsenal are on the verge of completing one of the most surprising and financially savvy signings of the summer transfer window, as they prepare to bring in Spanish goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for a fee of just £5 million (approximately €5.9 million).
The move, which has been widely reported by English media and confirmed by the BBC, is expected to be finalized within the week and represents a significant coup for the Gunners, who will acquire the most expensive goalkeeper in football history for a fraction of his original cost.
The key to the deal lies in a release clause that Kepa negotiated into his latest Chelsea contract extension. Although he renewed his deal with the Blues until the summer of 2026 just last year, the thirty-year-old shot-stopper insisted on including an escape clause, giving him the freedom to leave should another club be willing to meet a modest fee. Arsenal have moved decisively to trigger that clause and secure his services, taking advantage of Chelsea’s willingness to offload the player amid their ongoing squad rebuild.
Kepa’s arrival in North London is set to bolster Arsenal’s goalkeeping options, providing competition and experienced cover for David Raya, who is expected to continue as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice keeper following his permanent move from Brentford. The departure of Neto who had served as the club’s backup last season on loan from Bournemouth but has now returned to his parent club left a void in the squad that Kepa is now primed to fill.
Despite the reduced fee, Arsenal are acquiring a goalkeeper with a wealth of experience at both club and international level. Kepa has been capped thirteen times by Spain and has spent the last six years in English football. During his time at Chelsea, he made 163 appearances across all competitions, experiencing the full spectrum of highs and lows. He was part of the squad that lifted the Champions League trophy in 2021 (albeit as a backup), and he also played a key role in Chelsea’s Europa League triumph in 2019 ironically at the expense of Arsenal serving as the starting goalkeeper throughout the campaign. His honours also include the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Kepa’s Chelsea career, however, was marked by inconsistency and high expectations. Signed from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a staggering €80 million, he still holds the record for the highest transfer fee ever paid for a goalkeeper. That record-breaking deal came with immense pressure, and Kepa often found himself under intense scrutiny from fans and pundits alike. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he struggled to fully justify the massive investment, leading to Chelsea bringing in Edouard Mendy in 2020. Though Kepa later reclaimed his spot for periods, he never quite cemented his status as an undisputed starter.
His later years at Stamford Bridge were marked by frequent rotation and loan spells. In 2023, he joined Real Madrid on loan to provide cover following an injury to Thibaut Courtois, and last season he was sent to Bournemouth, where he contributed as a reliable second-choice option. These stints helped restore his match fitness and confidence, and Arsenal’s coaching staff believe he still has plenty to offer at the top level.
The price Arsenal are paying for Kepa stands in stark contrast to Chelsea’s original investment and highlights a dramatic depreciation in his market value. The Gunners’ ability to bring in a player of Kepa’s pedigree for under €6 million underscores their shrewdness in the transfer market and Chelsea’s desire to offload high earners as they reshape their squad under new management.
Top Five Most Expensive Goalkeeper Transfers in History
Kepa Arrizabalaga – Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea (2018) – €80 million
Alisson Becker – AS Roma to Liverpool (2018) – €62.5 million
Gianluigi Buffon – Parma to Juventus (2001) – €52.9 million
Andre Onana – Inter Milan to Manchester United (2023) – €50.2 million
Ederson – Benfica to Manchester City (2017) – €40 million
For Arsenal, this deal brings depth, experience, and a proven winner into their squad, all at a minimal financial risk. For Kepa, it is a chance at redemption and a new chapter at a club pushing for major honours. With the move expected to be announced imminently, all eyes will now turn to how the Spaniard settles into Mikel Arteta’s plans and whether he can finally live up to the expectations that once made him the most expensive goalkeeper in history.
