CONFIRMED: Arsenal to make Chelsea star their SECOND summer signing

Arsenal will reportedly make Kepa Arrizabalaga their second signing of the 2025 summer transfer window after they complete a deal for Martin Zubimendi.

The 30-year-old impressed during a loan spell at Bournemouth last season and he is set to join Arsenal as their new back-up goalkeeper to David Raya.

Mikel Arteta’s side will trigger the €5.9 million (£5m) release clause in Kepa’s contract at Chelsea and he is “likely” to become Arsenal’s next significant signing, according to The Athletic.

The Spaniard is expected to arrive at Arsenal’s London Colney training facility this week, in order to complete his move to the club, and he will join compatriots Raya, Zubimendi and Mikel Merino at the Emirates Stadium.

As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, Zubimendi will become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer, with the Gunners set to pay a slightly higher fee than his €60m release clause in order to secure more favourable payment terms.

Real Madrid have been linked with pursuing a transfer hijack, amid their desire to bring a new central midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu, however Zubimendi will join Arsenal instead and he is currently in London completing the formalities of the transfer.

Kepa to leave Chelsea

Kepa became the most expensive goalkeeper in football history when he joined Chelsea for €80m in 2018 – a title he still holds – but his time with the Blues was remarkably underwhelming.

The Spaniard endured one of the worst seasons in Premier League history during the 2019-20 season and he was soon replaced by Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge.

He was loaned out to Real Madrid in 2023, while he spent last season on loan at Bournemouth. Kepa will leave Chelsea having made a total of 163 first-team appearances for the club, winning four major trophies.

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