Kepa Arrizabalaga and Dean Huijsen have a good time (Photograph by Matt McNulty/Getty Pictures)
Arsenal seem set to finish the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, based on Gunners professional Charles Watts.
Writing in his unique CaughtOffside column, Watts praised the prospect of a deal for Kepa for simply £5m, which he feels ought to be improbable enterprise by Arsenal.
Kepa struggled to seek out his finest kind at Chelsea, however he did a good job on mortgage at Bournemouth within the season simply gone.
The Spanish shot-stopper would additionally solely be shifting to the Emirates Stadium as backup to David Raya, so doesn’t should be essentially the most thrilling ‘keeper on the earth.
As a backup, Kepa appears roughly splendid, based on Watts.
Kepa Arrizabalaga to Arsenal switch deal praised by Charles Watts
“I believe the Kepa deal is a improbable one if it will get completed, which it seems it would,” Watts stated.
“Arsenal have acted actually shortly after it grew to become clear that Joan Garcia wouldn’t be arriving from Espanyol this summer season and have all however wrapped up a extremely sensible piece of enterprise.
“Touchdown a keeper like Kepa for simply £5 million is an absolute steal. I’m truthfully baffled at how there appears to be some who’re questioning it.
“I can solely assume the difficulty for some is that it will likely be one other signing from Chelsea. I can perceive that in a approach given what has gone on prior to now, however while you put that to 1 facet and simply take this deal for what it’s then there may be nothing to complain about.
“You might be speaking a couple of keeper approaching his finest years who has loads of expertise and is a senior worldwide. He had an excellent season on mortgage at Bournemouth final season and the season earlier than he helped Actual Madrid win the Champions League whereas he was there.
“Sure, he had some excessive profile points when he first arrived at Chelsea. The world document switch price clearly was a weight on his shoulders that he struggled to take care of.
“However these days are behind him. He’s proven himself to be a positive goalkeeper at this degree.
“And keep in mind, he’s coming in as a No.2. Offering Raya stays match, then Kepa will solely play a handful of video games.
“It’s only a actually whole lot at an distinctive value. And the very fact it appears like it will likely be wrapped up early in the summertime is an actual optimistic.”
What occurred with Joan Garcia?
Watts additionally supplied some perception into why Arsenal didn’t find yourself signing one other goalkeeper within the type of Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
He added: “Everyone knows that Garcia was the keeper Arsenal actually wished, however the season he simply had at Espanyol principally made that an inconceivable deal to do that summer season.
“He was by no means going to return to be Raya’s No.2. His exceptional progress throughout the previous 12 months ended Arsenal’s hopes of getting him.
“In order that they needed to transfer on to different targets and in shifting so shortly for Kepa and making the most of that launch clause they’ve proven a variety of nous out there.”
