Brentford star David Raya is reportedly one of the goalkeepers that Arsenal are interested in signing during the summer transfer window
Brentford goalkeeper David Raya could become a new Arsenal player before the summer transfer window closes. The Spaniard has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Bees.
Mikel Arteta's side are reportedly keen to sign a new 'keeper to compete with current number one Aaron Ramsdale, with Raya the main candidate to do so. The Bees are yet to receive an offer for the 27-year-old, however, with Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all mooted as other potential destinations for the talented shot-stopper.
Brentford are thought to have set a £40million asking price for Raya. Reports have claimed the player has already agreed personal terms with the Gunners.
So, football.london has rounded up everything we've heard about the Spanish international's future below.
Chelsea hijack
While the Gunners may beat their arch-rivals to a top player, Bent has questioned why Arteta wants to sign the Spaniard, who'd be better off at Chelsea. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Spurs and Aston Villa striker said: "David Raya is better than Kepa Arrizabalaga.
"So why would Chelsea not go for him? And why would David Raya not think, 'hold on, why am I going to Arsenal to play behind Aaron Ramsdale? Why don’t I go to Chelsea and be their number one?'
"There’s something not quite right with Arsenal’s deal for David Raya. If I was Chelsea, I would be trying to get him," added Bent. Danny Murphy chipped in and, singing from the same hymn sheet, he claimed that Arsenal could accidentally send Ramsdale the wrong message.
"The Arsenal thing, I’m really struggling with that," said the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder. "If you go and get him, what does it say to Aaron Ramsdale? Why do you need to pay £40m for a goalkeeper if you’re not going to start him?
"And from the flip side, if you’re David Raya, your next move has to be to a club where you’ll be number one. There’s no way he’s going to go somewhere and be happy with being the No. 2. The only way you get him in is if you say he’s starting."
Personal terms agreed
According to Fabrizio Romano, David Raya has reached an agreement in principle with Arsenal on personal terms. Brentford have been informed by player side that he wants to join Arsenal — and talks between clubs over formula/price are now expected to accelerate.
Domino effect
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has claimed that there could be a transfer domino effect that allows Arsenal to sign Raya.
Speaking on The Debrief Podcast, Romano said: “The deal with Bayern is now complicated, but Arsenal had positive contacts on the player’s side. They believe that David Raya wants the move, he prefers Arsenal over Bayern as the next destination, now it’s important to understand how much Arsenal will invest on the goalkeeper if Matt Turner goes to Nottingham Forest.
"This is a goalkeeper domino with Sommer to Inter, Matt Turner to Forest, Arsenal and David Raya and Bayern looking for a new goalkeeper. The dominoes are starting and this week will be crucial."
Agent claim on transfer
David Raya's agency Futbol21Pro have already commented on his future as they seek for a transfer away from Brentford.
As quoted by Fabrizio Romano, Futbol21Pro representative Jaume Munell said: “If Brentford does not lower the price tag for David Raya this summer, we’ll be ready to leave as free agent in one year."
Ramsdale fate revealed
Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale could lose his position to David Raya if Mikel Arteta chooses to sign the Brentford star.
The 25-year-old was brought in as Arteta's new No.1 goalkeeper in 2021, 12 months after Arsenal's failed attempts to sign Raya, in a deal that could rise to £30milllion through add-ons. However, Raya will not be given the same responsibility with the duo set to fight for the gloves, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
On CaughtOffside, he wrote: “As for Aaron Ramsdale, my understanding is that the idea would be to create competition between Ramsdale and Raya - it’s not a case of replacing the England ‘keeper. If it goes through it promises to be an intriguing battle for the number one spot in Mikel Arteta’s side.”
Bayern advantage
Writing on Twitter, Romano said: "David Raya prefers Arsenal move over Bayern. Deal depends on clubs now but Arsenal expected to bid soon in order to accelerate talks. #AFC
"Negotiations with Bayern are currently off after loan offered in the morning — not what player/Brentford wanted."
Player worries
Raya himself has admitted that he is worried about the asking price Brentford have set, admitting that it could impact a potential exit this summer
Speaking to The Times about his future earlier this year, he said: “I will always feel close to [Brentford]. Being part of the promotion to the Premier League is something I will never forget.
"I know there are rumours about me leaving. There are some options for me to go but obviously Brentford are asking for a lot of money. That could make clubs not want to buy me, it could make them look somewhere else.
"But if that’s the value they give me then it’s up to them. I have a year left on my contract and until then I’m a Brentford player, there’s nothing I can do."
Asking price
Brentford boss Thomas Frank admitted that Raya will be allowed to leave the Community Stadium this summer but only if a club pays the asking price of £40million.
“I think we only have one player for sale,” Frank said after the final Premier League game of the season. “That’s the one that’s been talked about a lot, David. He costs £40m, I think I said.”
Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell then came out and said: “If Brentford does not lower the price tag for David Raya this summer, we’ll be ready to leave as [a] free agent in one year.”
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Taacikmsuz
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Chelsea should go for him,his very good