Kepa Arrizabalaga has informed Arsenal that he wants to leave the club this summer.
The goalkeeper is seeking regular first-team football after a season spent largely on the bench, TEAMtalk reports. Juventus and Napoli are among those leading the chase.
Both Italian clubs have already made enquiries. They are understood to be prepared to offer a fee that would hand Arsenal a profit on the £5m they paid Bournemouth just 12 months ago. A move to Serie A now looks increasingly likely.
Kepa tells Arsenal he wants to leave as Serie A clubs circle
The 31-year-old arrived last summer to provide experienced competition for David Raya, accepting the role of understudy. He always hoped opportunities would follow, but they rarely came.
Raya’s form left him little chance. The Spain international retained his place as Arteta’s undisputed first choice, winning a second successive Premier League Golden Glove.
Kepa, by contrast, made just 12 appearances across the campaign. Those outings brought mixed memories, too.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has informed Arsenal that he wants to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football, TEAMtalk understands. Juventus & Napoli are among those leading the chase & both clubs are understood to have made enquiries. [@GraemeBailey] pic.twitter.com/X5c4nGLhk5
His most notable involvement came in the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City, where two costly errors proved decisive.
It underlined the difficulty of staying sharp with such limited game time. Arsenal appear sympathetic to his position.
Sources indicate the club would sanction his departure should a suitable offer arrive, mindful that a reluctant deputy is of little use.
Mikel Arteta has previously praised Kepa’s attitude and influence around the training ground.
The Gunners have already begun planning for his exit. A four-man shortlist has been drawn up, with free agents Illan Meslier, Yann Sommer, Stefan Ortega and Mathew Ryan all under consideration.
His departure would end a brief Emirates stay after just one season. Kepa, meanwhile, will hope a move to Italy can revive his career as a first-choice goalkeeper once more.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has informed Arsenal that he wants to leave the club this summer in search of regular first-team football, TEAMtalk understands. Juventus & Napoli are among those leading the chase & both clubs are understood to have made enquiries.
[@GraemeBailey] pic.twitter.com/X5c4nGLhk5
