Completed deal sparks Man Utd scramble to sign £40m Prem ace Tottenham are hesitating on
![Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken Netherlands goalkeeper Mark Flekken](https://images.ps-aws.com/c?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.teamtalk.com%2Fcontent%2Fuploads%2F2023%2F05%2F29083943%2Fnetherlands-goalkeeper-mark-flekken.jpg)
The path for either Man Utd or Tottenham to sign a £40m-rated Brentford player has cleared after the Bees activated a release clause to sign his replacement, per a trusted source.
Thomas Frank’s side went from strength to strength this season, improving on their 13th-placed finish to wind up ninth this time around.
Brentford were in contention for European football on the final day and saw lethal frontman, Ivan Toney, finish third in the top-scorers chart. Only Erling Haaland (36) and Harry Kane (30) scored more than Toney’s 20 goals.
But while Brentford are clearly a club on the rise, they remain vulnerable to losing their best players and few come better than goalkeeper David Raya.
The Spain international, 27, is out of contract at the end of next season and has twice refused to sign an extension.
As such, a sale this summer is on the cards to ensure Brentford don’t lose such a valuable asset for free.
Confirming Raya is due to depart and the price he’ll command, Frank recently said (via the Evening Standard): “I think we only have one player for sale.
“That’s the one that’s been talked a lot: David. He costs £40m, I think I said.”
Brentford must sign a suitable replacement before letting Raya leave and according to Fabrizio Romano, they’ve wasted no time.
Brentford wrap up Mark Flekken agreement
The transfer guru tweeted Brentford have “completed” a move for Freiburg stopper Mark Flekken after activating his €13m release clause.
A medical has already taken place and the Dutch international, 29, has agreed personal terms and already put pen to paper.
Romano concluded the deal will be officially announced by Brentford “soon” before giving his signature “here we go” confirmation.
With Flekken set to arrive, Raya will now be given the greenlight to leave and that’s where Man Utd and Tottenham come in.
Both clubs are seeking to sign a brand new goalkeeper this summer. Hugo Lloris could be given the boot one year early after another error-strewn campaign.
Erik ten Hag, meanwhile, wants a high class back-up to David de Gea who may yet become the starter if De Gea does not sign a new contract. He’ll become a free agent on June 30.
Raya would represent a readymade and proven option for both clubs. However, it’s Man Utd who appear to hold an early advantage after the Daily Mail claimed Tottenham are stalling.
The newspaper reported Spurs hope to sign Raya for half of Brentford’s £40m valuation – £20m.
Such a lowly offer is sure to be rejected by Brentford if tabled, with the door therefore ajar for Man Utd to act more decisively.
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