The latter stages of the summer window often sees a flurry of activity as clubs scramble to strengthen their squads for the upcoming season. It looks like Arsenal are going to be one of those clubs involved in late, significant business.
One such transfer that has been making headlines recently is the impending move of Matt Turner from to Nottingham Forest.
This move has the potential to set off a chain reaction in the goalkeeper market, with Arsenal close to signing Brentford’s David Raya as a replacement and tougher competition for Aaron Ramsdale.
It has been widely reported that a deal is now agreed with a medical set to take place (BBC). Journalist Ryan Taylor has reported today that Turner’s transfer to Nottingham Forest is worth £10million, including add-ons.
The reported transfer fee of £10million for Turner showcases good business from Arsenal, who signed him for around £5million. It also means that the reported £25million fee for Raya is somewhat subsidised by this incoming fee. There’s also the fact that Raya qualifies as homegrown, something Turner did not, allowing Arsenal another non-HG spot in their squad elsehwere.
Raya, the talented shot-stopper from Brentford, has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time. The potential availability of Raya for around £25million was viewed as an opportunity Arsenal did not want to pass up on, given other clubs were quoted around £40million earlier in the window.
Raya’s style of play, distribution skills, and overall goalkeeping abilities align with Arsenal’s footballing philosophy, making him an attractive target to bolster the squad and add serious competition for Ramsdale, something that he probably did not have with Turner.
This competition for places just keeps growing across the squad with the goalkeeper spot the latest to have such high quality in depth.