Arsenal’s summer business could soon involve more than one departure, with Leandro Trossard already attracting serious interest from Besiktas as Mikel Arteta prepares for another busy transfer window.
The Belgium international has been strongly linked with a move to Turkey in recent days, with Besiktas pushing to agree personal terms after positive talks with Arsenal over a transfer fee.
Trossard has been an important squad player since arriving from Brighton, but increased competition in attack means an exit is becoming an increasingly realistic possibility.
Now, another member of Arteta’s squad could also be heading for the exit.
Kepa Arrizabalaga asks to leave Arsenal as they eye Stefan Ortega
According to TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey, Kepa Arrizabalaga has told Arsenal that he wants to leave after just one season at the Emirates.
The Spaniard arrived last summer knowing David Raya was Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, but the hope was that regular cup football and occasional Premier League opportunities would give him meaningful minutes.
Instead, Raya remained Arteta’s undisputed number one throughout the campaign, leaving Kepa with only a limited role.
At this stage of his career, the former Chelsea goalkeeper is believed to want a club where he has a realistic chance of playing every week rather than spending another season as back-up.
That has forced Arsenal to start considering alternative options.
One goalkeeper now under discussion by Andrea Berta and the recruitment team is Stefan Ortega.
The German earned plenty of admirers during his spell at Man City, despite spending most of his time behind Ederson in the pecking order.
Why Stefan Ortega is the perfect replacement for Kepa
Whenever Pep Guardiola rotated his squad, Ortega rarely looked out of place. His handling was dependable, he was calm with the ball at his feet, and he has repeatedly shown he can perform under pressure, whether in domestic competitions or important league fixtures.
Those qualities make him an obvious candidate for Arsenal.
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Arteta asks his goalkeepers to be comfortable playing out from the back, while also remaining mentally sharp despite not featuring every weekend.
Ortega has already shown he can handle exactly that type of challenge.
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Football FanCast’s Verdict |
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Credibility |
Graeme Bailey has built a strong network over more than two decades covering transfers and regularly breaks exclusive stories, particularly involving Premier League clubs. That said, his reports should be treated as well-sourced rather than definitive, as some claims develop differently once negotiations progress. |
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Finances |
Financially, an Arsenal move for Ortega would make plenty of sense. As a free agent, there would be no transfer fee, leaving the club to cover wages, a signing-on bonus and agent costs instead. That represents excellent value for an experienced Premier League goalkeeper and fits comfortably within Arsenal’s PSR/SCR planning. |
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Insight |
Ortega built his reputation during two spells with Arminia Bielefeld, establishing himself as a dependable goalkeeper before joining Man City on a free transfer in 2022. Despite playing behind Ederson, he became a trusted deputy, producing several match-winning displays and collecting a plethora of trophies. |
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Impact |
Ortega would give Arsenal one of the Premier League’s strongest goalkeeping departments. His experience, composure and ability to play out from the back mean he could step in seamlessly whenever David Raya is unavailable, maintaining Arteta’s tactical approach without disrupting the team’s rhythm or lowering standards. |
With Arsenal expected to compete on multiple fronts again next season, having an experienced deputy capable of stepping into high-pressure matches remains a priority.
Ortega looks like the sort of signing that rarely grabs headlines but often proves invaluable.
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Raya is firmly established as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, so the club do not need another player demanding the spotlight. What they need is someone reliable, experienced and ready whenever called upon.
Ortega fits that description perfectly.
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