Arsenal agree transfer with Chelsea and book medical for another new signing

Arsenal have agreed a deal with Chelsea to sign Kepa Arrizabalaga and are in the process of booking a medical for another new signing.

The Gunners have endured a subdued start to the summer transfer window but are now starting to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Arsenal have been working on a deal for Martin Zubimendi for months and are set to unveil the Spanish midfielder as a new signing next week.

Real Madrid considered hijacking Arsenal’s £55m deal but Zubimendi, the best player at Real Sociedad, is heading to the Emirates Stadium.

Arteta needed a new back-up goalkeeper following Neto’s return to Bournemouth and identified ex-Cherries loanee Kepa as his top target.

Kepa flopped at Chelsea after becoming the most expensive goalkeeper in history but has a chance to improve his reputation at Arsenal, though he will only be David Raya’s deputy.

Arsenal will pay £5m to sign Kepa, who cost Chelsea £72m in a world-record transfer back in 2018.

According to The Athletic, Arsenal are also close to finalising a deal for Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard.

They made an offer €11million (£9.3m) to Brentford on Wednesday and there is a growing confidence within the Emirates Stadium that a deal will be struck.

Norgaard, 31, is believed to be keen on the move and Arsenal are so confident that have already made plans for his medical.

The Denmark international has been a key member of Thomas Frank’s Brentford over the past six seasons, making 196 appearances for the Bees.

Reports in Denmark suggested Brentford would try to block Norgaard’s departure as he is still viewed as a key member of a squad that will be led by a new manager next season following Frank’s move to Tottenham.

But Arsenal are close to finalising a deal and are in talks with Norgaard over advanced details of his contract.