Bournemouth boss speaks out on signing Kepa Arrizabalaga as Chelsea loan ends..
Andoni Iraola has suggested that Bournemouth may not take up the chance to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea on a permanent transfer.
Kepa’s time at Stamford Bridge has long been over having spent the last two seasons out on loan, with the Blues desperate to move him on for good this summer.
One option for the goalkeeper would be to return to the Vitality stadium where he has enjoyed a very good campaign, conceding 39 goals in 30 Premier League games.
His efforts helped Bournemouth make a surprise push for Champions League qualification, but a run of just two wins in 12 has ended their dreams of European football.
Nevertheless, Iraola is keen to build upon a great season and it was previously reported that he was interested in making Kepa’s loan permanent.
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With just one year left on his contract, Chelsea are not expected to demand a huge fee for the Spaniard who remains the most expensive keeper in football history, having cost the Blues £71m back in 2018.
However, speaking ahead of Bournemouth’s final day clash against Leicester City, Iraola said no decision had been made on Kepa’s future, though he did share his admiration for the player.
AFC Bournemouth Training Session
Andoni Iraola has been impressed with Kepa’s form (Photo: Getty)
‘I think it is a matter of negotiating with Kepa himself and with Chelsea. I think both sides are very happy with his loan spell,’ the manager said in his press conference.
‘I think he has performed really well, and his character and experience have been very valuable for us. In a really young team, to have someone with his experience of fighting regularly for titles has been really lovely.
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‘But we still have Neto, [Mark] Travers and [Alex] Paulsen, so we will see in pre-season what decisions we take. There will definitely be changes in that position though, yes.’
Arsenal Training Session
Neto will return to Bournemouth this summer after a loan spell at Arsenal (Photo: Getty)
Kepa was signed in part to replace Neto who has spent the season on loan at Arsenal but has made just two appearances as David Raya’s understudy.
There is no buy option included in Kepa’s loan deal while it was reported last month that the 30-year-old was also wanted by Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen who can offer him Champions League football.
In any case and despite his great form, he will not be re-integrated into Chelsea’s first-team, with Enzo Maresca set to persist with the struggling Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.
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