Kepa Arrizabalaga has become the first of several out-of-favor Chelsea players to depart the club in the final 48 hours of the transfer window, joining Bournemouth on a season-long loan. The Spanish international, who remains the world’s most expensive goalkeeper following his £71 million ($94 million) transfer from Athletic Bilbao to Chelsea in 2018, has struggled to secure the No. 1 spot at Stamford Bridge.
After spending last season on loan at Real Madrid, where he made 20 appearances as the club won both the Champions League and La Liga, Kepa lost his place to Andriy Lunin before Thibaut Courtois returned from injury. At Chelsea, he was one of seven senior goalkeepers under contract.
“We are delighted to bring a player of Kepa’s calibre to Bournemouth,” said the club’s chief executive, Neill Blake. “We were aware of his availability and were keen to seize the opportunity to bring him to the club on loan.”
Other big names like Romelu Lukaku, Raheem Sterling, and Ben Chilwell could also leave Chelsea before the transfer deadline on Friday, having been informed by head coach Enzo Maresca that they are not part of his plans for the season..
