Chelsea have confirmed Kepa Arrizabalaga has signed a one year contract extension and joined Bournemouth on loan for the season.
The Blues have been trying to move the 29-year-old on all summer but have now finally done so, although they will likely to revisit the situation in 12 months time given there’s reportedly no buy option in the deal.
The club will be hoping the Spaniard does well and he plays himself into the market so they can get some sort of fee for him next summer.
Arrizabalaga joins Bournemouth on loan
Chelsea made the Spain international the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when they paid Athletic Bilbao £71.6m in 2018.
However, after a positive start to life at Stamford Bridge it’s fair to say Arrizabalaga didn’t really live up to expectations considering the money paid.
The keeper spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances in all competitions and won both the Champions League and La Liga.
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has signed a one-year contract extension and completed a season-long loan move to #PL side Bournemouth.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 29, 2024
It’s believed he was holding out for a return to the Spanish capital but that failed to materialise, whilst interest from Al-Ittihad earlier in the window cooled.
A move to the Cherries will see him link up with fellow Spaniard Andoni Iraola and will provide Arrizabalaga with the opportunity to play regular Premier League football.
Arrizabalaga was part of the Chelsea squad which won the Champions League, Europa League and Club World Cup, whilst he’s also won the Nations League with Spain.
The former Bilbao man has made 163 appearances for the Blues, but almost certainly won’t be adding to that tally.
The Spaniard might not be the only keeper to leave Chelsea with the Blues also trying to find a solution for Djordje Petrovic who has become surplus to requirements after just one season at the club, with the Serbian reportedly turning down a move to Strasbourg.
