Arsenal learn low asking price to sign forgotten Chelsea star

Mikel Arteta is on the hunt to sign a new goalkeeper this summer (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal have discovered the release clause in Kepa Arizabalaga’s Chelsea contract as they continue their search to sign a new goalkeeper this summer.

With David Raya having cemented his status as the club’s undisputed No.1, the Gunners are on the lookout for an experienced deputy capable of challenging the Spain international.

Teenagers Jack Porter and Tommy Setford are both highly rated but are likely to spend the coming season out on loan, while the plan for Karl Hein, who spent last term at Valladolid, remains unclear.

Arsenal made a move to sign Espanyol’s Joan Garcia 12 months ago but walked away after the Spanish club refused to do business unless the Premier League club were prepared to activate his £21.4million release clause.

The 24-year-old looks destined to leave his boyhood club this summer but, despite Arsenal’s renewed interest, he now looks to be on the verge of joining Espanyol’s local rivals Barcelona.

That situation would leave Arsenal in a major goalkeeping quandary and, according to Sky, they have made an effort to solve a significant problem by contacting Chelsea about a potential deal for Kepa Arizabalaga.

The 30-year-old joined Chelsea seven years ago in what was then a record deal for a goalkeeper when he was signed for £71.6m.

Kepa spent last season on loan at Bournemouth (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Kepa has made 109 Premier League appearances for the Blues across a turbulent spell but enjoyed arguably one of the best seasons of his career while on loan at Bournemouth last term.

The Cherries, who finished ninth, had been considering signing the goalkeeper on a permanent deal but could now face competition from Arsenal who have discovered Kepa has a £5m buyout clause in his current contract.

Whoever joins Arsenal, they will face a near impossible task to dislodge Raya who has just celebrated winning consecutive Golden Glove awards.

‘I am delighted to keep it,’ said Raya after a win over Southampton on the final day of last season.

David Raya is Arsenal’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper (Picture: Getty)

‘As I’ve always said, it’s not just me, it starts from everybody on the pitch and it’s a collective effort, even if it’s the keepers who get the award, but it’s just great for the team as well.

‘Every award is special but the way we defended this season, we had a lot of injuries and different back fours.

‘Today we played with KT in the centre-back and Zinchenko came back in as a left-back and Kuba as a right centre-back and Ben White as a right-back.

‘That just shows the willingness to keep doing the right things and credit to everybody who helped the team to keep their feet.’