Kepa Arrizabalaga and Dean Huijsen Celebrate (Photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
According to Gunners expert Charles Watts, Arsenal appears to be set up to complete the signature of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arizabaraga.
Write exclusively for him Catch off side In the column, Watts praised Kepa’s prospects for trading for just £5 million. I feel this should be Arsenal’s great business.
Kepa had a hard time finding his best form at Chelsea, but he just did a decent job on loan at Bournemouth this season.
The Spanish shotstopper also doesn’t have to be the most exciting keeper in the world, as he will only be redirected to Emirates Stadium as a backup to David Raya.
According to Watts, as a backup, Kepa looks more or less ideal.
Kepa Alizabaraga to Arsenal transfer contract Charles Watts praises
“I think the Kepa trade will be great once it’s over.
“Arsenal acted really quickly after it became clear that João Garcia would not arrive from Espanyol this summer.
“It’s an absolute steal to land a keeper like Kepa for just £5 million, and to be honest, I’m baffled that it appears that some people are questioning it.
“I can only think of some issues as being another signature from Chelsea. Given what’s happened in the past, in a sense, I just put it on one side and make this deal about what it is and there’s nothing to complain about.
“You’re talking about a keeper who has a lot of experience and is approaching his best year as Senior International. He had a very good season with Bournemouth last season before helping Real Madrid win the Champions League while he was there.
“Yes, when he first arrived at Chelsea, he had some famous issues. The world record transfer fees were the weight of the shoulders he struggled to deal with.
“But those times are behind him, and he shows he is a great goalkeeper at this level.
“And remember that he comes in as No. 2. If Raya offers to remain appropriate, Kepa will only play a handful of games.
“It’s a really good deal at an exceptional price, and the fact that it appears to close early in the summer is really positive.”
What happened to Joan Garcia?
Watts also provided insight into why Arsenal didn’t sign another goalkeeper in the form of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
He added: “I know Garcia really wanted Keeper Arsenal, but the season he just went with Espanyol basically made that impossible deal this summer.
“He never intended to be Raya’s second place. His incredible progress over the past 12 months has ended Arsenal’s hopes of getting him.
“So they had to go on to other targets and move very quickly for Kepa and take advantage of that release clause and what they had shown a lot of noos in the market.”