Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has reportedly made a decision regarding his immediate future.
Arrizabalaga is nearing seven years contracted as a Chelsea player, making a total of 163 appearances in all competitions.
However, the last two seasons have been spent elsewhere on loan, the Spain international featuring on 20 occasions for Real Madrid during the 2023-24 campaign.
Having failed to secure a permanent switch to the Bernabeu, Arrizabalaga accepted the opportunity to play regular football under a familiar face in Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, the pair of them having previously represented Athletic Bilbao.
The 30-year-old has subsequently impressed in his 23 appearances for the South-coast outfit, participating in the club's best-ever Premier League campaign as well as helping the team reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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What next?
With a year remaining on his contract at Chelsea, it is clear that there will be developments with regards to his future during the summer transfer window.
Chelsea will naturally want to avoid losing a player who cost £72m on a free transfer, and permanent proposals will be considered during the off-season.
As per Football Insider, Arrizabalaga is currently of the opinion that he would like to remain at the Vitality Stadium in the long term.
Former scout Mick Brown, a regular contributor to the outlet, has suggested that the stopper is happy with life at Bournemouth.
Brown said: "He's been doing really well there and he's established himself as a major part of that side. From what I hear, he doesn't want to go back to Chelsea, he's happy at Bournemouth.
"He's been able to get away from all the pressure he was under playing for Chelsea and just focus on his game and that's been clear to see in his performances.
"I think playing under Iraola has helped him too, he looks more confident in that side. What do Chelsea do about that, though, because they want a goalkeeper and he's only on loan."
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Will Chelsea be tempted to keep Arrizabalaga?
Of all the goalkeepers that are on Chelsea's books, it is Arrizabalaga and fellow loanee Djordje Petrovic, currently at Strasbourg, who have been the best performers.
Reports have indicated that Chelsea have no plans to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer, despite the inconsistent form of Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen.
Despite there theoretically being a window of opportunity to reintegrate Arrizabalaga, the younger Petrovic is likely to be preferred should he be rewarded for his form in Ligue 1.
That is partly down to Arrizabalaga being on a far higher wage than the Serbia international, therefore encouraging Chelsea officials to find a full-time solution when it comes to reducing their outgoings on that front.
Darren Plant
