Bournemouth show interest in Chelsea's Kepa

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Nizaar Kinsella
  • Role, 鶹Լ Sport football news reporter

Bournemouth are weighing up a loan move for exiled Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The 29-year-old is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge and is training with the "loan group" under loan technical coach Carlo Cudicini.

The move is internally considered complicated at the south coast club as the Spain international's high wages - estimated to be about £200,000-per-week - present a problem in negotiations.

Chelsea would also expect Kepa, who remains the world's most expensive goalkeeper after joining the club for £72m in 2018, to extend his contract by at least a year and that extension would come with a wage reduction.

That extension would allow the Blues to potentially cash in on Kepa at a later date if he does well on loan, but would also require compromises from all parties on how to cover his wages to facilitate the move.

Kepa spent last season on loan at Real Madrid, who were interested in re-signing him, but only if Ukraine international Andriy Lunin opted to leave.

Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad also cooled interest in Kepa last month having held initial talks to sign him.

Chelsea are looking to offload up to 15 players before the transfer deadline next week, with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Trevoh Chalobah and Romelu Lukaku available for sale.

Kepa is an option being considered alongside Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale as Bournemouth enter talks on multiple fronts to strengthen their options for manager Andoni Iraola.