Kepa Arrizabalaga ‘wants to stay at Bournemouth’ after Chelsea latest
Kepa Arrizabalaga is keen to make his loan deal at Bournemouth permanent to seal a long-term move away from Chelsea in the summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 30-year-old is happy playing under Andoni Iraola.
Kepa has impressed during his stay at the Vitality and does not plan to return to Chelsea at the end of his season-long loan deal.
The Spaniard has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far, keeping six clean sheets, and has helped Bournemouth rise to seventh in the league and the quarter final of the FA Cup.
As a result, he is keen to remain as part of an ambitious squad on the south coast.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea plan to sign a new goalkeeper as a priority in the summer amid concerns about Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.
Chelsea are interested in signing Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen this summer, while they are also considering a move to sign Southampton’s ex-Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale.
Kepa Arrizabalaga wants to stay at Bournemouth as Chelsea decision mooted
Following a mistake by Robert Sanchez which cost his side a result against Man City, Chelsea fans called for Kepa’s return from Bournemouth, insisting he is their best option.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the decision ultimately is in Chelsea’s hands as he remains their player.
“Arrizabalaga has spent the season on loan at Bournemouth,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s been doing really well there and he’s established himself as a major part of that side.
“From what I hear, he doesn’t want to go back to Chelsea, he’s happy at Bournemouth.
“He’s been able to get away from all the pressure he was under playing for Chelsea and just focus on his game and that’s been clear to see in his performances.
“I think playing under Iraola has helped him too, he looks more confident in that side.
“What do Chelsea do about that, though, because they want a goalkeeper and he’s only on loan.
“These things are never straight forward, there’s always different issues involved.
“The two clubs will have to come to some sort of agreement if he wants to stay at Bournemouth and Bournemouth want to keep him.
“But it will be up to Chelsea at the end of the day because he’s still their player.”
Andoni Iraola planning to keep Huijsen, Kerkez and Semenyo
Keeping their best players at the club looks like it will be the theme for Bournemouth in the summer transfer window after a successful season so far.
While keeping Kepa would require negotiations with Chelsea, the Cherries are also determined to keep the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo at the Vitality.
Brown told Football Insider that Bournemouth plan to keep Huijsen and Kerkez amid interest from Liverpool, while Newcastle want to sign Semenyo this summer.
However, the Cherries are planning to qualify for Europe as a result of their fantastic season and want to keep their best players to remain competitive.
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