Arsenal agreement raises suspicions as ‘unreliable’ star closes in on big-money deal

Arsenal are close to agreeing a bargain deal for a forgotten Premier League player, but former Man Utd goalkeeper Ben Foster has questioned their motive for making the switch

A former Premier League goalkeeper has questioned Kepa Arrizabalaga’s motives as he looks set for a move to Arsenal. Chelsea shot-stopper Kepa is reportedly being lined up to join the Gunners during the summer transfer window in a £5million deal after an impressive loan spell with Bournemouth this season.

The 30-year-old established himself as the Cherries’ first-choice, registering eight clean sheets in 31 appearances. However, it’s understood the Spaniard is seen as surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, paving the way for a switch to north London.

Kepa became the most expensive goalkeeper in history when he signed for Chelsea back in 2018, arriving from Athletic Bilbao for £72m. However, he struggled to live up to his hefty price tag and lost his place in the team before being loaned out to Real Madrid in 2023/24.

Arsenal are understood to be long-time admirers of Kepa, but Mikel Arteta already has an established No. 1 in David Raya. And ex-Manchester United keeper Ben Foster believes he is highly unlikely to displace his fellow countryman.

Foster, who also turned out for the likes of Watford and Wrexham, accused Kepa of being content to go back to being a bench-warmer if he agrees a move to the Gunners after voicing doubts about his reliability.

“It’s crazy at the age of 30, but it’s almost like he’s signalled that his playing days are over,” he said on his ‘Fozcast’ podcast. “He’s happy playing second fiddle, where he knows he might play 10 games a season for the next five years.

“It’s a surprising one, because he’s re-established himself as a number one, a good-to-go, bona fide Premier League number one starting goalkeeper.

“By signing for Arsenal, I think he can say to the people around him or to the wider world, ‘Listen, I’m going there to compete and try and be the number one.’ But I think deep down, he knows why he’s going there.

“He’s not good enough to be near Raya and I think Arsenal know that as well. They’re signing a very capable back-up goalkeeper, but somebody that probably isn’t going to be reliable at that level.”

Despite his criticism, Foster claimed the transfer could still be beneficial for both Arsenal and Kepa, who he thinks could earn a six-figure weekly sum at the Emirates, even as a back-up option.

He added: “He will suit that style of football where they like to play the ball out from the back a little bit more. You’d imagine he’s still going to be on £100,000 a week, or something like that. Who are we to judge that?

“If he hasn’t got that drive and that will to want to be a number one week in, week out in the Premier League then fair play to him. It’s a nice place to be a number two.”

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