As we surge through to the end of the transfer window this week, Chelsea have announced a done deal earlier this morning.
This is one done deal that is not only a bit confusing, but also probably not even that helpful to Chelsea in the long run.
Sources: Chelsea in talks with TWO strikers at this same time ahead of deadline day madness!
However, there is one major plus point in this deal that has been reported this morning as well.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has joined Bournemouth on a season long loan deal. However, the deal does not include any options or obligations to make the move permanent at the end of the season and appears to be just a dry loan. That bit is not helpful to Chelsea who will surely just want the player gone and to not be returning next summer and facing attempts to sell him once again.
Kepa has extended his contract at Chelsea so the club will avoid losing him as a free agent next summer, and this is where the key positive detail is.
Kepa takes wage reduction
Kepa Arrizabalaga to Bournemouth
• Season loan without buy option
• Kepa took wage cut of ‘around 50%’ to play Premier League football
• Signed Chelsea contract with club option to extend until 2026 on reduced salary
• Analysis here: https://t.co/EJP3OEbB1R pic.twitter.com/Zd96vuZ4Eo— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) August 29, 2024
As you can see above, reporter Duncan Castles has claimed that Kepa took wage cut of ‘around 50%’ to play Premier League football by joining Bournemouth.
Kepa was on big wages at Chelsea, so this is a huge plus point that they have at least got those wages down by 50% and wont be such a big hit on their wage bill now.
So although this is not an ideal move overall because Kepa is still officially a Chelsea player, at least there are some positives to it.
