Arsenal transfers: Mikel Arteta set for fourth summer signing as details emerge of bargain price tag and lengthy deal
Arsenal look to have secured the signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya with reports suggesting the clubs have reached an agreement over his fee.
Raya, 27, recently emerged as a Gunners target as Mikel Arteta looks to add quality to his goalkeeping ranks. The Spanish tactician already has England’s Aaron Ramsdale as his number one shot-stopper. But it appears as though he wants competition for the former Sheffield United ace.
Raya has been a standout player for the Bees since they secured promotion to the Premier League in 2021.
It was always likely that the Spain international would be a busy man operating in England’s top division.
However, his form has mirrored that of Brentford’s, with 62 appearances across two seasons for the west Londoners.
The former Blackburn Rovers ace has been superb between the posts. And clubs of the stature of Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Tottenham have been linked.
But it seems as though he will be heading to the red half of north London after Arsenal and Brentford agreed on a £30m fee, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian tweeted: “Total package of David Raya deal will be close to £30m, being clarified in the next hours.
“Raya will sign contract until June 2028 at Arsenal, medical later this week.
“Brentford make huge profit, they signed Raya for £2.7m from Blackburn in 2019.”
The west Londoners have been asking for £40m even though the Barcelona-born star had just one year of his present deal left.
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And it seems as though last season’s Premier League runners-up have got themselves a bargain.
Raya to push Ramsdale as Arteta adds class to Arsenal squad
Arsenal have made huge strides over the past 12 months. After missing out on the Champions League in 2021-2022, they finished second last term.
Indeed it looked as though the Emirates outfit might actually take the title until a late-season stutter.
That coincided with Manchester City’s inevitable strong finish that saw Pep Guardiola’s side end up five points clear at the summit.
But far from wallowing in self-pity, Arteta has been extremely busy in the off-season.
Declan Rice became the club’s most expensive signing, while Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber have also arrived.
And now it appears as though he is adding further quality at the back.
Ramsdale is Arsenal’s undisputed number one between the posts. The 25-year-old played every minute of the Gunner’s Premier League campaign last season.
It will be tough for Raya to dislodge the man with three England caps and he may well act as back-up in the league.
Arteta might choose to rest his established keeper and use Raya in Europe and domestic cup games.
But, whatever the boss chooses to do, he will have two goalkeepers that most top-flight clubs would love to call their own.
Raya also played in every one of Brentford’s Premier League matches last term, keeping 12 clean sheets.
Ramsdale blanked the opposition on 14 occasions and was superb in Arsenal’s Community Shield triumph over City at the weekend.
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