Latest news with #Kepa
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea told to cancel Arsenal transfer deal at last minute
Chelsea have been told to pull out of their transfer deal with Arsenal and keep Kepa Arrizabalaga at Stamford Bridge. Arsenal are closing in on a £5m deal for Kepa and intend for the Spanish goalkeeper to be Mikel Arteta's No. 2 behind David Raya. Neto performed that role last season but did not inspire confidence and has now returned to boyhood club Bournemouth, who incidentally had Kepa on loan. Chelsea spent £72m on Kepa in 2018 – making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history – but are now ready to take a massive loss. Kepa struggled to justify his huge price-tag at Chelsea before losing his place in the team and then being sent out on two loan deals, first Real Madrid and then Bournemouth. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Chelsea look set to sell Kepa despite also tying to sign a new goalkeeper this summer and failing in a bid for Mike Maignan. Robert Sanchez endured a disappointing season and a host of pundits believe an upgrade is needed for Chelsea to go to the next level and win major trophies. Ex-Chelsea winger Pat Nevin believes his former club could save millions in transfer fees by keeping Kepa at the club rather than bringing in a new goalkeeper. 'The goalkeeper position is a tough one for Chelsea because what they're looking for is youth,' he told Spin Genie. 'But goalkeepers, like centre-backs, don't really come into their own until they're around 25 or 26. They are two very specific positions in that regard. Robert Sanchez Filip Jorgensen Mike Penders Gaga Slonina Lucas Bergstrom Kepa Arrizabalaga 'We all look at Jordan Pickford and think he'd be brilliant. He's a fantastic shot-stopper and is okay with the ball at his feet, but he'd cost a lot of money and I don't think the goalkeeper position is where they want to spend that money. 'Look who's already on their books with Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Gabriel Slonina, Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga. 'I think the resolution to their goalkeeping problem could already be at the club. Kepa is as good as any of the goalkeepers we have mentioned and he's an option that I think is worth revisiting for Chelsea. 'I'm not sure if the ownership regime would think the same, but he's there and they're paying him. 'If he's the best option at the club, after learning a lot of things while out on loan this season, Chelsea shouldn't be looking all around the world for another goalkeeper. 'Kepa has got better with his feet and is a fantastic shot-stopper. While you can question his presence and it's a challenge Chelsea face, I don't think it's their biggest problem.' Fellow ex-Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips also believes it would be a mistake to sell Kepa, especially to a direct rival. 'I'm confused. I don't understand,' Wright-Phillips told Betway when asked abut Kepa's imminent move to the Emirates Stadium. 'It's like nobody's been watching Kepa this season. He's been unbelievable. He is part of the reason why Bournemouth finished where they finished. 'The defence was outstanding, but Kepa was unbelievable, as well, I thought. 'I assumed while the season was going on that Chelsea didn't need to buy a goalkeeper because Kepa was going back anyway, but that isn't to be the case. 'You can have as good a goalkeeper as you want, but if you're still going to make the same mistakes in defence, your goalkeeper is still going to concede. More Trending 'That's just the fact of the matter. [Liverpool goalkeeper] Alisson pulls off amazing saves when he's needed. Half the time he has to pull off a save, it's not forced errors. 'So if Chelsea can get their defence like that, where they're not making him make unnecessary saves he shouldn't have to make, then I think Kepa is your man to keep. You don't need to forage around. 'Most managers now are looking for goalkeepers that are good with their feet. I think Kepa's alright with his feet, but he might not be at the level they want him to be. 'But for me, it's a real strange one.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Darwin Nunez approves transfer to next club but Liverpool set 'difficult' asking price MORE: Dortmund provide update on Chelsea transfer target Jamie Gittens after rejecting two bids MORE: Thomas Partey makes final decision on his Arsenal future
Metro
6 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Arsenal told to sign Manchester United transfer target instead of Chelsea flop
Mikel Arteta has been told to bring a former Arsenal star back to the club rather than signing Chelsea flop Kepa Arrizabalaga. Arsenal are close to signing Kepa, once the most expensive goalkeeper in the world, for just £5m. Chelsea spent a record-breaking £72m to sign Kepa from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 but the Spain international struggled at Stamford Bridge. Kepa spent last season on loan at Bournemouth and is now set to join Arsenal as Arteta's No. 2 behind David Raya. Neto performed that role for the Gunners last season but he has returned to Bournemouth following the end of his loan spell. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Ex-Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has questioned the club's move for Kepa, however, and believes Arteta should instead welcome Emiliano Martinez back to the club. Arsenal sold Martinez to Aston Villa in 2020 and have watched the Argentine become one of the best goalkeepers on the planet and a World Cup winner. The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move away from Villa Park this summer with Manchester United interested in a deal. But Petit wants Arsenal to make a move for Martinez and says he would bring an 'important mentality' to a Gunners squad in desperate need of a trophy next season. 'Since Kepa Arrizabalaga's move to Chelsea, it has been a nightmare for him,' Petit told talksportBET. 'He went to Real Madrid and it didn't go well, he went to Bournemouth and wasn't the first choice to begin with but did end up doing quite well. 'For Bournemouth is one thing, but for the biggest clubs in the world you have to have the right mentality, especially as a goalkeeper. 'I think Arsenal need a goalkeeper who can, not replace David Raya because he has done well, but can give them another option. 'If I was Arsenal I'd go for Emiliano Martinez, look at what he has done with Argentina and Aston Villa. 'I didn't like his behaviour when he played against PSG, but he has a winning mentality and that would be important for Arsenal. 'He has that nastiness that is important in winning teams, it inspires other players. 'Arsenal are all Mr Nice Guys at the moment, 25 years ago when we were winning trophies there were some nasty boys in there, but had that winning mentality. Arsenal need that.' While Arsenal chase Kepa, ex-Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips has questioned why the Blues would sanction the transfer. 'I'm confused. I don't understand,' Wright-Phillips told Betway when asked abut Kepa's imminent move to the Emirates Stadium. Kepa (Atletico Bilbao to Chelsea), £72m Alisson (Roma to Liverpool, £67m Gianluigi Buffon (Parma to Juventus), £50m Andre Onana (Inter Milan to Manchester United), £47m Ederson (Benfica to Manchester City), £35m 'It's like nobody's been watching Kepa this season. He's been unbelievable. He is part of the reason why Bournemouth finished where they finished. 'The defence was outstanding, but Kepa was unbelievable, as well, I thought. 'I assumed while the season was going on that Chelsea didn't need to buy a goalkeeper because Kepa was going back anyway, but that isn't to be the case. 'You can have as good a goalkeeper as you want, but if you're still going to make the same mistakes in defence, your goalkeeper is still going to concede. More Trending 'That's just the fact of the matter. [Liverpool goalkeeper] Alisson pulls off amazing saves when he's needed. Half the time he has to pull off a save, it's not forced errors. 'So if Chelsea can get their defence like that, where they're not making him make unnecessary saves he shouldn't have to make, then I think Kepa is your man to keep. You don't need to forage around. 'Most managers now are looking for goalkeepers that are good with their feet. I think Kepa's alright with his feet, but he might not be at the level they want him to be. 'But for me, it's a real strange one.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Excited to face elite European teams' or 'glorified pre-season tournament'?
We asked for your views on Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup, and your general feelings about the are some of your comments:Chris: Not one decent goalkeeper, yet Maresca is happy to 'give away' Kepa! I'm not surprised the Gooners are champing at the bit to sign him. He was better at Bournemouth last season than any of the keepers he's included in this squad! Badiashile, who he's quite happy to move on too, is included, as is Nkunku, who hates playing for us! Can't wait to see Delap, who I think could score a lot of goals for us!Adam: I have been attending Chelsea matches since 1987 and find the concept of this tournament very interesting. Mixed messages from the club though... a great money earner but too tiring for players? Being forced to expand the squad to cater for such games will surely eradicate any financial benefits? I am sad for the fans who have been fleeced for tickets yet again. Let's see how the experiment Veiga and Felix are the two I would like to have seen in the squad. Felix in particular is a luxury player but has so much quality. I would love to try Felix and Palmer behind Delap. It remains to be seen if there is any way back for Nkunku. Excited to see how Santos gets On one hand I'm excited to go up against some of the elite European teams as that should put us in better stead for the Champions League. But this tournament is at the wrong time of the season. Players need a break and we'll suffer for it before the end of the season I Not that excited about the Club World Cup, to be honest. It'll be good for Maresca to see how new players get on and try new systems, but essentially I see this as a glorified pre-season tournament. Give the players some time off and get them ready for a huge Hearing Petrovic wanted to be left out is a slight blow, as is the failings of whoever to get Maignan. If we really want to push on this season we cannot have Sanchez in goal again, even if he was relatively solid in the run-in.
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea blasted for 'unbelievable' transfer call which has strengthened Arsenal
Kepa Arrizabalaga looks set to join Arsenal for just £5m due to a release clause in his contract, but the Spaniard would likely have to settle for the No 2 goalkeeping spot behind David Raya Former Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips has slammed his old club for selling goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal for just £5million, insisting he is "confused" after the Spaniard's "unbelievable" season on loan at Bournemouth. Kepa arrived at Stamford Bridge for a record £72m in 2018 and was seen as one of next best goalkeepers in world football, but he struggled to repay that enormous fee as he produced some inconsistent displays across the next two seasons. In 2020, Chelsea opted to buy a new keeper as Edouard Mendy arrived and immediately displaced Kepa in goal, forcing him to become a bench option. While he enjoyed more game time in 2022-23, he spent the next two seasons on loan at Real Madrid and Bournemouth - the latter of which he became a fan favourite after finding his best form once again. But despite Enzo Maresca lacking his own clear No.1 choice after some uninspiring displays from Robert Sanchez - and failing to sign Mike Maignan - the Blues are in talks to sell Kepa to Arsenal for just £5m. That fee was negotiated into Kepa's contract when he signed an extension last summer. And Wright-Phillips, who played 125 times for Chelsea between 2005 and 2009, has been left baffled by the club's decision to let him go. "I'm confused. I don't understand,' the former England star told Betway while discussing Kepa's impending move. It's like nobody's been watching Kepa this season. He's been unbelievable. He is part of the reason why Bournemouth finished where they finished. 'The defence was outstanding, but Kepa was unbelievable, as well, I thought. "I assumed while the season was going on that Chelsea didn't need to buy a goalkeeper because Kepa was going back anyway, but that isn't to be the case. "So if Chelsea can get their defence like that, where they're not making him make unnecessary saves he shouldn't have to make, then I think Kepa is your man to keep. You don't need to forage around. "Most managers now are looking for goalkeepers that are good with their feet. I think Kepa's alright with his feet, but he might not be at the level they want him to be. But for me, it's a real strange one." Kepa has played a total of 163 times for Chelsea and enjoyed 35 outings for Bournemouth last season - though there have now been question marks over his potential move to Arsenal because he is set to play second fiddle behind No 1 David Raya. Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has even urged the player to reject a move to the Emirates and questioned whether he is eager for as much game time as possible. "It's all on whether he wants to play, he's not going to play at Arsenal is he?" he told talkSport. "He's going to be the No.2, do you want to be No.2? He's obviously been No.1 at Bournemouth. If I was a keeper at his age I'd want to play because you'll regret it once you finish." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Arsenal signing this summer labelled 'confusing' after 'outstanding' season
Kepa Arrizabalaga looks likely to become Arsenal's first summer signing after impressing on loan with Bournemouth, but Shaun Wright-Phillips has questioned Chelsea letting him leave Chelsea have been warned that they are making a grave mistake by selling Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal. The Spanish shot stopper impressed during his season-long loan with Bournemouth, keeping eight clean sheets in 31 appearances as the Cherries finished in a respectable ninth. However, instead of deploying the 30-year-old shot stopper at Stamford Bridge next season, it appears as though Enzo Maresca will let Kepa move to north London on a permanent transfer - with Arsenal reportedly agreeing a £5million deal. Chelsea secured him as the most expensive goalkeeper in history back in 2018, bringing him in from Athletic Bilbao for £72m. But he ultimately failed to find his footing with the Blues, losing his place in the team before loan spells with Real Madrid and Bournemouth. And while Chelsea are in the market for a keeper this summer - recently linked with AC Milan's Mike Maignan as a replacement for Robert Sanchez - it appears as though they have disregarded Kepa, who looks increasingly likely to join the Gunners once the summer window reopens next week. However, former Blues star Shaun Wright-Phillips believes this is a mistake. Speaking to Betway about Kepa, the former winger, who spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2008, said: "I'm confused. "I don't understand. It's like nobody's been watching Kepa this season. He's been unbelievable. He is part of the reason why Bournemouth finished where they finished. "The defence was outstanding, but Kepa was unbelievable, as well, I thought. I assumed while the season was going on that Chelsea didn't need to buy a goalkeeper because Kepa was going back anyway, but that isn't to be the case. "You can have as good a goalkeeper as you want, but if you're still going to make the same mistakes in defence, your goalkeeper is still going to concede. That's just the fact of the matter. " Alisson pulls off amazing saves when he's needed. Half the time he has to pull off a save, it's not forced errors. So if Chelsea can get their defence like that, where they're not making him make unnecessary saves he shouldn't have to make, then I think Kepa is your man to keep. You don't need to forage around. "Most managers now are looking for goalkeepers that are good with their feet. I think Kepa's alright with his feet, but he might not be at the level they want him to be. But for me, it's a real strange one." Despite being a regular as Chelsea secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and won the Europa Conference League, Sanchez has failed to show consistency. And while they also have Filip Jorgensen, Mike Penders and Djorde Petrovic on their books, it appears they're eager to bring in a fresh keeper this summer. A deal for Maignan fell through earlier this week, with it reported that Chelsea did not see eye-to-eye on AC Milan's valuation of the 29-year-old, who has just a year left on his current contract. Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, looks set to take advantage as he seeks a back-up for No. 1 David Raya.
