Newcastle must trigger Kepa Arrizabalaga release clause after another deal confirmed
Newcastle United should trigger Arsenal keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga's £5million release clause to bolster their goalkeeping ranks this summer.
Eddie Howe is orchestrating a shake-up of his goalkeeping options this summer after a disappointing 2025-26 campaign.
The Magpies boss rotated between Nick Pope and Aaron Ramsdale throughout the season, but neither particularly impressed as they finished 12th in the Premier League.
Newcastle have already confirmed that Ramsdale will return to his parent club Southampton soon, while Pope has been linked with a move to Ipswich Town over the last few days.
With young Frenchman Ewen Jaouen set to join soon, the Magpies should now make a move to sign Kepa as their new number one keeper for a cut-price fee.
Kepa Arrizabalaga swoop makes sense for Newcastle amid Ewen Jaouen and Nick Pope latest
Pope has reportedly held talks with Ipswich and is open to a move back to his boyhood club this summer.
His exit would leave the Magpies without any senior stoppers who are ready to feature at the top level, but Reims' Jaouen is soon set to arrive to take up one place in their squad.
The 20-year-old is clearly highly rated, as he is set to cost around £24m, but may also not be ready to instantly become their number one after arriving from the French second-tier.
Standard reporter Sam Tabuteau has reported that there is no expectation that Jaouen will be Howe's first choice, and he could even head out on loan this summer.
They are clearly in the market for another keeper, and a move for Kepa would make a lot of sense.
He is prone to the odd error, but has shown his quality in spells with Bournemouth and the Gunners in recent seasons.
At 31-years-old, he would not only be a stellar number one for Newcastle, but would be an ideal keeper for Jaouen to learn from if he is set to be a star in the future.
Mikel Arteta has told Newcastle why they should sign Kepa
Some Magpies fans may turn their noses up at the idea of signing Kepa, but as far as short-term cover goes, there can not be many better options out there for such a small fee.
Sources have told Football Insider that Arsenal want to sell their fringe players this summer, with Kepa seemingly available to leave.
He made 12 appearances in 2025-26 and mostly deputised well, but did make a key error that saw Arsenal lose the Carabao Cup final to Man City.
Speaking after that game, Gunners boss Arteta remained full of praise for the Spaniard, saying: "I think we have an outstanding goalkeeper in Kepa. I would do it (play him) again.
"He deserved to play this game and has been phenomenal for us. Errors are part of football, and anyone can make them.”
If a Premier League-winning manager rates a player, then it is fair to say that they must be impressive, and Newcastle should be lining up a move before other clubs beat them to signing Kepa.