David Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell, has all-but confirmed the Brentford goalkeeper’s move to Arsenal with a post on social media. Soccerhuz.com understands that the Spain international is set to join the Gunners on an initial loan with an option to make the move permanent for £27million.
Raya entered the final year of his contract with Thomas Frank’s side this summer and had his heart set on a move to the Emirates Stadium – despite interest from Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Tottenham. The Spaniard has completed a medical ahead of his announcement as an Arsenal player.
Raya is set to join after USMNT international shotstopper Matt Turner made the switch from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week. The glovesman could be starting in goal for the East Midlands side when they visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in their first game of the new Premier League season.
With the incoming goalkeeper expected to replace Turner and bring in extra competition with Aaron Ramsdale for the number one position, he won’t feature against Forest at all. Soccerhuz.com understands that Arsenal missed the deadline to register Raya as part of their squad to face Nottingham Forest this weekend, with the 12pm curfew on Friday passed.
That means Karl Hein is likely to make the bench on Saturday, with fellow goalkeepers Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson and Arthur Okonkwo both on loan for the season. The move for Raya does mean Arsenal are able to read the market for opportunities to strengthen where possible.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that Raya is set to join Arsenal this summer, claiming he is “expecting” the deal to be completed “soon”. An announcement could come as soon as this evening after Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell, posted a picture of himself stood in front of the Arsenal badge at London Colney on his Instagram page.
