Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has reportedly moved closer to a move to Premier League side Bournemouth.
The 29-year-old is still the world's most expensive shot-stopper after switching from Athletic Bilbao to Stamford Bridge for £71.6m in the summer of 2018.
Kepa has enjoyed notable success in West London during his six-year stay so far, winning both the Champions League and Europa League as part of the Chelsea squad.
The Spaniard spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Real Madrid, who were looking for goalkeeping reinforcements last summer following the ligament injury of Thibaut Courtois.
Initially taking the role of first choice at the Bernabeu, loanee Kepa was soon uprooted by Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, meaning that the Chelsea man made just 13 starts in La Liga for Los Blancos.
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Chelsea's Kepa 'arrives' in Bournemouth ahead of loan
According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Bournemouth are edging ever closer to the signing of Kepa from Chelsea ahead of Friday's deadline.
The report claims that the 29-year-old will join the South-coast club on a loan deal for the 2024-25 season, with an obligation or option to purchase not mentioned.
It is understood that the Cherries and Chelsea have agreed on the details of a temporary switch for Kepa to the Vitality Stadium for the next nine months.
With the Spaniard travelling down on Tuesday morning, it is believed that medical tests are currently ongoing as the final pieces of the transfer jigsaw are put together.
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Kepa set to receive new Chelsea deal?
Considering that Kepa's current deal at Stamford Bridge expires during the summer of 2025, Chelsea are set to protect a valuable asset by offering him extended terms.
It is believed that the former Real Madrid loanee will put pen to paper on a one-year extension in West London ahead of a temporary switch to Bournemouth.
With Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen the two goalkeepers currently preferred by Enzo Maresca, it is clear that Kepa needs to depart in order to receive regular first-team minutes.
The Spaniard joins Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic and Lucas Bergstrom as shot-stoppers who have been left out of Chelsea's first-team plans this season.
Carter White
