Arsenal’s initial bid to secure Brentford’s talented goalkeeper, David Raya, is expected to be met with resistance as it falls slightly below the London club’s valuation. Nevertheless, negotiations are still ongoing, with both parties eager to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
The 27-year-old shot-stopper has caught the eye of other clubs this summer, including Bayern Munich and earlier in the window, Tottenham. Despite the competition, Brentford’s resistance to lower their £40million demands earlier in the window saw other potential suitors look elsewhere and it has left them in a poor negotiating position, having already signed his replacement and the Spaniard having just one year left on his contract at the club.
Raya is keen on a move to Arsenal, where he would have the chance to reunite with his former goalkeeper coach from Brentford, Inaki Cana.
Arsenal view this as a great market opportunity. Matt Turner is keen to go and play first team football and with Nottingham Forest willing to invest more than £10million for him, Arsenal could effectively swap Turner for Raya for around £15million.
Raya also qualifies as homegrown, something Turner did not, allowing Arsenal to add another non-HG outfield player to their ranks.
Arsenal and Arteta have a longstanding interest in Raya and see him as an ideal contender to challenge Aaron Ramsdale for the coveted number one spot. Raya is up for the battle and personal terms have already been agreed in principle.
According to a source close to the deal, Fresh Arsenal has learned that negotiations between Arsenal and Brentford are progressing positively, and a deal for David Raya is likely to be struck at a fee around £25 million with some add ons. There is a determination of both clubs to reach an agreement, with Raya’s contractual situation, the fact they have already signed his replacement and the new season just one week away.
In parallel, discussions regarding Matt Turner’s potential move to Nottingham Forest are also gaining momentum. The deal for the 29-year-old United States number one is expected to be worth in excess of £10million.