Brentford are set to reject an opening bid from Arsenal for the transfer of David Raya but the Premier League rivals are both keen to agree a deal for the Spain goalkeeper.
That is according to talkSPORT, which reports that Brentford do not feel Arsenal’s initial offer for Raya’s transfer is enough. Mikel Arteta is now striving to coax the 27-year-old to Emirates Stadium this month as the Gunners boss wants to find real competition for Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale has been the undeniable number-one in north London since replacing Bernd Leno within mere weeks of joining the club. But Arteta feels the England international now needs a serious rival. And the Arsenal manager feels a transfer from Brentford for Raya fits the bill.
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Arsenal have tried to low-ball Brentford with their first offer
Arsenal sporting director Edu must now hold further negotiations with Brentford if Arteta is to agree Raya’s transfer, however. The Bees are holding out for a £40m fee, despite the two-cap Roja star being out of contract in 2024. He made 12 clean sheets in the league last term.
Edu has opened talks with the Gtech Community Stadium side far below their valuation. Per Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal made Brentford an opening bid of just £23m for Raya’s transfer on Thursday. The fee also only included a guaranteed sum of just £20m before £3m in add-ons.
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Romano added that Raya has already told Brentford that he wants to join Arsenal. The shot-stopper has also already agreed to personal terms with the Gunners. He is eager to make a move from west to north London once the Premier League and capital rivals finalise the fee.
Brentford want to agree on David Raya’s transfer to Arsenal
Talks between Arsenal and Brentford over Raya’s transfer will continue with both teams now keen to agree on a deal. The Bees are loath to let the Spain star play on into the final year of his contract. Raya last extended his terms in October 2020 after his first season at the Bees.
Brentford signed Raya from Blackburn Rovers in July 2019 and he has since played 161 times for 54 clean sheets. The Spaniard, who former Portsmouth and West Ham goalkeeper Shaka Hislop calls ‘outstanding’, has kept 20 of his shut-outs from 62 Premier League games so far.
Thomas Frank fielded Raya in all 38 of Brentford’s fixtures last season as he also displayed a solid passing range. Should Raya now secure a transfer to Arsenal, his ability on the ball will let the Brentford sensation challenge Ramsdale. Arteta also used Ramsdale for all 38 games.