CONFIRMED: Arsenal to make Chelsea star their SECOND summer signing

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 24 Jun 2025 09:30 BST
  • 4 min read
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, 2024/25
© IMAGO

Arsenal will reportedly make Kepa Arrizabalaga their second signing of the 2025 summer transfer window after they complete a deal for Martin Zubimendi.

Article continues under the video

The 30-year-old impressed during a loan spell at Bournemouth last season and he is set to join Arsenal as their new back-up goalkeeper to David Raya.

Current ETV
Player image Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga

GK

B

B'mouth

Kepa Arrizabalaga
Kepa Arrizabalaga

GK

B

B'mouth

€12.1M

ETV Range

€10.9M - €13.3M

Mikel Arteta’s side will trigger the €5.9 million (£5m) release clause in Kepa’s contract at Chelsea and he is “likely” to become Arsenal’s next significant signing, according to The Athletic.

The Spaniard is expected to arrive at Arsenal’s London Colney training facility this week, in order to complete his move to the club, and he will join compatriots Raya, Zubimendi and Mikel Merino at the Emirates Stadium.

As exclusively revealed by FootballTransfers, Zubimendi will become Arsenal’s first signing of the summer, with the Gunners set to pay a slightly higher fee than his €60m release clause in order to secure more favourable payment terms.

Real Madrid have been linked with pursuing a transfer hijack, amid their desire to bring a new central midfielder to the Santiago Bernabeu, however Zubimendi will join Arsenal instead and he is currently in London completing the formalities of the transfer.

Martin Zubimendi will become Arsenal's first summer signing
© IMAGO - Martin Zubimendi will become Arsenal's first summer signing

Kepa to leave Chelsea

Kepa became the most expensive goalkeeper in football history when he joined Chelsea for €80m in 2018 - a title he still holds - but his time with the Blues was remarkably underwhelming.

The Spaniard endured one of the worst seasons in Premier League history during the 2019-20 season and he was soon replaced by Edouard Mendy at Stamford Bridge.

He was loaned out to Real Madrid in 2023, while he spent last season on loan at Bournemouth. Kepa will leave Chelsea having made a total of 163 first-team appearances for the club, winning four major trophies.

Football transfer news headlines today

CONFIRMED: Chelsea agree SEVEN-YEAR deal with €60m star as Maresca closes in on biggest move so far

Chelsea close to completing Jamie Gittens transfer - Ornstein

DONE DEALS: Every official completed transfer around Europe today

The FootballTransfers app

Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.

The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:

Google Play

App Store

Never miss the next big transfer!

Get the latest transfer insights and analyses directly in your mailbox.