Bournemouth have reached an agreement with Chelsea to bring goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga on a season-long loan. This move effectively ends Bournemouth’s pursuit of Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale, and it could also mean that Mark Travers may leave the club before the transfer window closes on Friday.
As part of the deal, Kepa, 29, has extended his contract with Chelsea until the end of the 2026 season. His previous contract was set to expire in June 2025, which would have allowed him to leave on a free transfer after his loan spell with Bournemouth.
Kepa still holds the title of the world's most expensive goalkeeper, having joined Chelsea from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for £71 million. Despite his record fee, Kepa has been training away from Chelsea's first-team squad under manager Enzo Maresca, signaling that he no longer has a future at Stamford Bridge.
Last season, Kepa was loaned to Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances as a stand-in for the injured Thibaut Courtois. During his time there, he helped the team win both La Liga and the Champions League. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti had considered bringing Kepa back, but it hinged on the departure of Andriy Lunin, which didn't materialize.
Kepa also turned down a permanent move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad in July, preferring to stay in Europe. Meanwhile, Chelsea has been busy in the transfer market, securing teenage Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders from Genk for £17 million, although he won’t join the club until next season.
In other Chelsea-related news, Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard, is in advanced negotiations to sign versatile attacker Harvey Vale. A club-to-club agreement is mostly in place, but the final decision now rests with Vale.
