Kepa Arrizabelaga could leave Chelsea for as little as £5 million next summer due to a release clause in his contract.
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Goalkeeper joined Chelsea for £71m in 2018Has struggled to make lasting impact in west LondonClause could see him make permanent Cherries switchFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Kepa sat on the bench during the Champions League final at Wembley last summer but was part of the team that won it, the second triumph in his career. A few months later he is lining up for Bournemouth and has limited options for a permanent move. Having signed for the Blues in 2018 for an eye-watering £71m ($92m), he could now depart Stamford Bridge for just £5m, with a release clause in his contract set at that meagre amount according to reports.
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The Spanish stopper was hailed as someone who could emerge as one of, if not the, best goalkeepers in the world but struggled to live with the pressure of being Chelsea's No.1. If certain conditions are met this season, Kepa could now make a permanent move to the south coast and stay with Bournemouth beyond the 2024-25 campaign. That is no discredit to the Cherries, who are flying under Andoni Iraola. The head coach has already expressed his desire to work long-term with Kepa, hinting that the wheels are in motion to extend his stay.
DID YOU KNOW?
Kepa has kept more than 100 clean sheets in his senior career across four European clubs. He has the most with Chelsea, keeping 59 in 163 appearances, as well as 15 with Athletic Club.
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR KEPA?
So far this season the 30-year-old has made five appearances in the Premier League for Bournemouth. He was not involved in the last two against Aston Villa and Manchester City due to injury but will likely return soon as the Cherries continue to thrive under Iraola.