Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
The Spaniard’s contract expires next summer and Brentford have set his asking price at about £40m after the goalkeeper made clear he did not want to extend his deal. Bayern Munich are also pursuing the Brentford goalkeeper, with their preference being a loan.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign David Raya, who favours a move to long-term admirers Arsenal over joining Bayern Munich.
Raya, 27, was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham earlier in the summer. However, Spurs decided against meeting Brentford’s £40m valuation of their shot-stopper and signed Guglielmo Vicario from Empoli instead to replace the highly experienced Hugo Lloris ahead of the new season.
With the Bees signing Netherlands international Mark Flekken from Freiburg to be their new No 1, Raya’s time at the G-tech Community Stadium looks all but over. The report adds Arsenal want to sign the Spain international to compete alongside current No.1 Aaron Ramsdale for a place in the first XI.
David Raya to Arsenal—Right choice?
Arsenal have strengthened their squad well in the summer transfer window, with Jurrien Timber, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz improving Mikel Arteta’s options in defence, midfield and attack. Despite conceding 43 goals in the Premier League last season—which was the third-fewest in the division—Mikel Arteta is still keen on improving various areas of the pitch, with the goalkeeping position in the focus now.
Heading into the summer, strengthening the goalkeeping position didn’t look among the priorities for Mikel Arteta with Aaron Ramsdale performing well last season. However, Ramsdale’s indifferent performances in the pre-season tour, coupled with Arsenal’s current second-choice goalkeeper Matt Turner being considered by Nottingham Forest, is the reason for Arteta wanting Brentford’s David Raya.
Raya featured in all of Brentford’s 38 Premier League matches last season, helping his team enjoy the fifth-best defensive record in the division. He has been a reliable goalkeeper for Brentford in recent seasons and would considerably improve Arsenal’s goalkeeping unit.
In terms of saves and save success rate, David Raya was among the Premier League’s busiest goalkeepers last season. He made 154 saves and boasted a better save success rate (75.1%) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League. In comparison, Ramsdale made 94 saves and had a save success rate of 69.3%. The Brentford star also was one of the better distributors in the division, and this is documented by the fact that he hit more accurate long balls (410) than any other player last term. In contrast, the Arsenal No.1 played just 138 accurate long balls. (Stats courtesy: WhoScored)
While Ramsdale kept more clean sheets and conceded fewer goals, David Raya appears to be a more rounded goalkeeper with his distribution skills making him an instant upgrade on the England international. Ramsdale was one of the big reasons for the north Londoners finishing second last season, but for any team to stay competitive, they need to find ways to elevate their squad, and it is crystal clear that Raya would be a massive improvement on the Englishman.
Thus, the Gunners must not hesitate to splash the cash for Raya as he could play a massive role in helping them challenge Manchester City for the title in the upcoming season.
