Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected at Arsenal’s training ground this week to complete the formalities ahead of his £5 million move from Chelsea.
The Gunners are in need of a backup goalkeeper this summer, after Norberto Neto returned to his parent club, Bournemouth, following his loan at the Emirates.
Arsenal agreed a deal for Kepa earlier this month, identifying the Spaniard as an opportunistic signing after it was revealed that he had a £5 million release clause in his contract at Chelsea.
Martin Zubimendi is expected to sign for Arsenal in early July, with the midfielder now competing with Kepa to become the first official signing of new sporting director Andrea Berta’s tenure.
Kepa Arrizabalaga expected at Arsenal’s training ground this week
Kepa has agreed to join Arsenal despite David Raya’s presence in Mikel Arteta’s squad, and is vowing to fight for his place in the Gunners’ team.
Arteta may grant Kepa Champions League minutes to keep him satisfied, although it’s likely that he’ll mostly be limited to minutes in domestic cup competitions.
The shot-stopper has been on holiday since his season with Bournemouth concluded at the end of May, but was aware of Arsenal’s interest and approved the move earlier this month.
According to The Athletic, the 30-year-old is expected at London Colney at some point this week to complete his medical, undergo his media duties and complete various other formalities, so that the deal can be finalised.
The Gunners will activate Kepa’s £5 million release clause, stealing him from Chelsea, after the Blues paid a purported £72 million for him back in 2018.
When will Arsenal announce the signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga?
The Athletic’s report doesn’t make clear what day exactly Kepa will arrive at London Colney, but theoretically, the formalities should be completed by the end of this week.
That should mean that an announcement can be expected at some point in the next five to seven days, perhaps early next week.
Zubimendi’s deal is expected to be made public once July rolls around, with Sociedad requesting Arsenal hold off until the new month for accounting reasons.
The Gunners obliged, and they may opt to announce the signing of the midfielder before Kepa, as it’s a bigger deal and they’ll have had more time to prepare the media content.
If this is the case, then Kepa could be seen wearing an Arsenal goalkeeper kit in the public domain any time from July 2nd.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
