Arsenal sign goalkeeper David Raya on £3 million loan from Brentford

Posted : 15 August 2023

Arsenal's latest acquisition has been finalized, as they have secured the services of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a season-long loan, as confirmed by the club on Tuesday.

Sources have informed that Raya's loan deal comes with an initial fee of £3 million, accompanied by an obligation for Arsenal to make the transfer permanent for a total of £27 million.

At 27 years old, Raya's arrival will introduce healthy competition for the position of Arsenal's top goalkeeper, currently held by Aaron Ramsdale. His signing follows the departure of United States international Matt Turner, who made a move to Nottingham Forest for a potential fee that could reach £10 million.

Brentford has also made an announcement regarding Raya's departure to Emirates Stadium. The goalkeeper signed a fresh two-year contract with the club prior to his transfer.

Addressing the specifics of the transfer, Brentford's director of football, Phil Giles, explained the reasoning behind structuring the deal as an initial loan with an option for Arsenal to make it a permanent transfer in the future. This approach allowed for a smoother and quicker process between both clubs, with the shared intention of converting the move into a permanent one as soon as feasible.

Giles clarified, "David's contract extension is a precautionary measure in case the transfer doesn't become permanent. While I'm not anticipating Raya's return to Brentford, if it were to occur, the opportunity to work with such a high-caliber goalkeeper for potentially two more years would certainly be an unexpected positive for us."

During the previous season, Ramsdale was the first-choice goalkeeper for Arsenal in all 38 Premier League matches, aiding the team's runner-up position to Manchester City. In contrast, Turner's appearances were primarily limited to cup competitions.

With Arsenal securing a spot in the Champions League for the first time since 2016-17, Mikel Arteta's squad depth will be thoroughly tested in the upcoming season.

Raya marks Arsenal's fourth acquisition during the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurriën Timber. This has brought the club's summer spending to an impressive total exceeding £230 million.

Having initially joined Brentford from Blackburn Rovers in 2019, Raya played a pivotal role in the team's promotion to the Premier League in 2021. He maintained his presence as an ever-present figure last season, contributing to Brentford's ninth-place finish in the top flight. His exceptional performances earned him his debut cap for Spain in 2022 and secured his position in his country's squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Arsenal sign goalkeeper David Raya on £3 million loan from Brentford

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