Kepa Arrizabalaga closing in on Chelsea loan exit - report
- Kepa in talks over loan to Bournemouth
- Goalkeeper reportedly set to extend Chelsea contract by 12 months
- Real Madrid remain keen on former loanee
By Tom Gott
Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly close to joining Bournemouth on a season-long loan.
Kepa is available for transfer following his return from a loan with Real Madrid but the Blues have so far failed to find a permanent buyer, having rejected a bid from Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad earlier this summer.
With admirers Madrid not prepared to re-sign Kepa while Andriy Lunin remains on the books, the 29-year-old has been forced to look elsewhere and saw Bournemouth emerge as contenders for his signature last week.
Now, Fabrizio Romano states Chelsea and Bournemouth are closing in on a deal to take Kepa to the Vitality Stadium for the next 12 months.
Any move would also see Kepa sign a one-year extension to his Chelsea contract, which is currently due to expire next summer.
Kepa is one of many players on the fringes at Chelsea for whom new homes need to be found and a domestic loan is undoubtedly the best option for the Blues if they cannot find a permanent buyer.
Teams are restricted to just six overseas loan spots this season and Chelsea are reluctant to hand one of those valuable spots to Kepa who, alongside striker Romelu Lukaku, took up one of those valuable spots last season.
Chelsea are also working to find a new home for another goalkeeper, Djordje Petrovic, who could leave on either a permanent or loan deal before the summer transfer window closes.
Reports have suggested Petrovic is wanted by Chelsea's sister side Strasbourg, although the 24-year-old is yet to be convinced by such a move.
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