Kepa Arrizabalaga has officially joined Bournemouth on a season-long loan from Chelsea as the transfer window draws to a close.
This move marks the beginning of what is expected to be a series of exits for out-of-favor Chelsea players in the final 48 hours of the transfer period.
Kepa, who remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71 million ($94 million) transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, has struggled to secure a permanent spot as the first-choice goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.
After spending the previous season on loan at Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances, Kepa lost his starting position to Andriy Lunin before Thibaut Courtois’ return from injury.
Among Chelsea’s extensive squad of over 50 players, Kepa was one of seven senior goalkeepers under contract.
Bournemouth’s Chief Executive, Neill Blake, expressed the club’s excitement over acquiring a player of Kepa’s caliber, stating, “We were aware of his availability and were keen to take the opportunity to bring him to the club on loan.”
As Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca looks to trim down the squad, other notable players such as Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell could also be on their way out before the transfer deadline on Friday, having been informed they will not feature in Maresca’s plans for the upcoming season.
