Arsenal close in on first summer signing - and it's another Chelsea player! Gunners to trigger Kepa Arrizabalaga's £5m release clause with David Raya backup secured

Per The Athletic's David Ornstein, Arsenal are closing in on a £5m ($7m) deal to sign Kepa, as they seek a reliable back-up for David Raya. The Gunners had been interested in Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia, but he is instead seemingly set to join Barcelona.

Kepa cost Chelsea over £71m ($96m), becoming the world's most expensive goalkeeper when he moved to Stamford Bridge, but the Blues are now set to make a significant loss on the Spaniard. Arsenal view him as a capable understudy, and Kepa is willing to fight for his place in north London, per the report.

Kepa spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Bournemouth, helping Andoni Iraola's side finish ninth, keeping nine clean sheets along the way. He made a total of 163 appearances for the Blues, and was on loan at Real Madrid in 2022-23.

Arsenal will hope to conclude a deal quickly as they bid to secure their first summer signing, with further additions expected to follow.