Kepa Arrizabalaga, currently on a season-long loan at AFC Bournemouth, has played 10 games for the club, helping them secure an impressive eighth-place spot in the Premier League.
Despite his strong performances, it seems Kepa, who was loaned out by Chelsea after struggling for a spot in their starting lineup, isn’t keen on making a permanent switch to Bournemouth.
The Spain international, who joined Chelsea for a record £71.6m in 2018, is under contract at Stamford Bridge until 2026.
Chelsea didn’t hesitate to let him go, with Enzo Maresca preferring Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen as his two goalkeepers. Kepa’s loan to Real Madrid last season further confirmed his diminishing role in the squad.
While reports indicate Bournemouth is interested in making Kepa’s move permanent, sources suggest Kepa wants to return to Chelsea once his loan period ends.
Bournemouth’s manager, Andoni Iraola, has expressed his desire to keep Kepa, and despite the difficulty of securing him, Iraola is determined to persuade the goalkeeper to stay.
Kepa, who praised Iraola as one of the Premier League’s top managers after a memorable 2-0 win over Arsenal, has expressed his pride in playing under him. He also emphasized how well the team connects with Iraola’s coaching style, signaling a strong bond between player and manager despite Kepa’s future intentions.