Arsenal are actively pursuing a summer transfer for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
Raya has just 11 months left on his current contract at the Gtech Community Stadium, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Bayern Munich all said to be keen on the player. But it is the Gunners that appear to be leading the race to sign the Spanish international, with Mikel Arteta keen to bring the Bees’ shot-stopper in to compete with current number one Aaron Ramsdale.
So, football.london has rounded up everything we’ve heard about the 27-year-old’s future below.
Turner agreement
Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner is closing in on completing a move to Nottingham Forest. The Athletic have reported that an agreement has been reached, with the USMNT star set to undergo his medical on Monday (August 7).
Turner’s exit provides encouragement that the Gunners will be able to negotiate a deal for Raya. There is currently a £7million gap between valuations of the two clubs.
New talks set as transfer timeline revealed
Arsenal have scheduled more talks with Brentford for the transfer of David Raya in the hope of finalising the deal in the next 24-48 hours, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
Negotiations are set to continue on Sunday, August 6 with those talks advancing to the final stages now that Matt Turner is on the verge of signing for Nottingham Forest.
New Brentford price tag stance
Brentford could lower their demands for David Raya after Arsenal’s £23million offer was rejected earlier this week.
According to the Mail, the Bees are willing to compromise on their £40million asking price and could accept an offer as low as £30million.
Offer to be rejected
Arsenal’s opening offer for Raya is expected to be turned down by Brentford, as per the Athletic.
The Bees are said to be seeking a larger proposal, although negotiations are set to continue, with all parties looking to complete the move.
Arsenal £23m bid
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have submitted opening bid for David Raya to Brentford. The proposal is worth an initial £20million fee plus £3million add-ons.
Arteta response
Arteta rarely gives anything away when asked about Arsenal potentially making a move for players linked during the transfer window and the Spaniard’s response was no different when he was quizzed about possible interest in Raya.
“You know I’m not gonna talk about any player, that’s not here sorry,” he responded when quizzed on the prospect of signing the Bees ‘keeper.
Chelsea hijack
While the Gunners may beat their arch-rivals to a top player, Darren Bent has questioned why Arteta wants to sign Raya, who he claims would 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 £40million 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 the player side that he wants to join Arsenal — and talks between clubs over 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
Raya has also been linked with a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich but the player prefers north London, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
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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