Bournemouth make decision on signing Kepa Arrizabalaga after Chelsea star’s FA Cup blunder | Football

Bournemouth have made a decision on whether to permanently sign Kepa Arrizabalaga when his loan transfer from Chelsea ends.

Kepa became the world’s most expensive goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge from Athletic Bilbao in 2018 for a fee of £71million.

Though he won the Champions League and Europa League, he struggled for form and consistency in west London and has spent the last two campaigns out on loan.

He barely played while at Real Madrid but has found a new lease of life at Bournemouth this season, conceding just 29 goals in 22 Premier League games, though he has made the odd howler.

The Spain international’s efforts have unexpectedly propelled the Cherries into the race for Champions League qualification, with the club just four points off the top five.

Much of the transfer speculation on the south coast has revolved around players Bournemouth could sell this summer including the £75m-rated Antoine Semenyo, Liverpool target Milos Kerkez and Chelsea linked Dean Huijsen.

But Andoni Iraola’s side are also looking ahead to who they want to sign and according to The Times they are likely to try to sign Kepa permanently.

The report also adds that they are not interested in bringing in Liverpool’s No.2 goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, at least not as part of a swap deal for Kerkez.

It is said there is a £5m release clause in Kepa’s contract which expires next year and Enzo Maresca has no desire to use the 30-year-old despite Chelsea’s own goalkeeper issues.

Back in December it was reported that the keeper wasn’t interested in a permanent move to the Vitality stadium but that stance may have changed given Bournemouth’s European aspirations.

Kepa was initially the hero on Sunday after brilliantly saving Erling Haaland’s penalty in Bournemouth’s FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Manchester City, but was criticised after failing to save Omar Marmoush’s winning goal.

‘The keeper’s made a few mistakes recently against Spurs and Brentford and he won’t be happy,’ Manchester United legend Roy Keane told ITV after the game.

‘He’s got to save this. At this level you have to save it.’

Kepa will next be in action when Bournemouth host Ipswich Town on Wednesday night.

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