Arsenal transfer news: David Raya is the Gunners latest summer target with Mikel Arteta receiving a huge boost from a Brentford decision.
Brentford could lower their demands for David Raya after Arsenal’s £23million offer was rєjєƈτed earlier this week. Heading into the summer window, a departure for Raya seemed very likely following his own public pleas to secure a transfer alongside the claims made by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
“Unfortunately it’s not that easy,” Frank told NBC Sports, viaMetrowhen asked aboutthe latest on Raya during Brentford’s USA pre-season tour. “I hope [we get an offer], we are waiting to sell. David would like to go. That’s fine for us. If a club want to buy [him] they just need to find out the price. So I guess it should be simple, but apparently it’s very difficult.”
Talks remain ongoing between the two parties for Raya with personal terms already agreed.Arsenal’s interest in Raya being ɾєⱱєɑłєԀ in late July came as a shock to many with Aaron Ramsdale seeming as the clear No.1 heading into the 2023/24 season.
However,Arteta was quick to jump to the defence of his goalkeeper after he received some backlash amid the Raya transfer talk.”He was really good,” Arteta responded when asked about Ramsdale’s display in the Emirates Cup clash with Monaco. “I think he was really composed in the game. I think he didn’t have to intervene too much.
“I think there were two actions – one was the goal which was very close range and the other one was the cutback when they hit the post. Other than that he did not have much to do. But everything he had in ball possession was really good.”
In the same press conference, Arteta was asked about Arsenal’s interest in Raya to which he gave the expected response, saying: “You know I’m not gonna talk about any player, that’s not here sorry.” As per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, there is confidence an agreement will be reached for Raya and Arsenal look to have potentially been informed how much they will need to pay to sign the Spaniard.
According to theMail, Brentford are willing to compromise on their £40million asking price and could accept an offer as low as £30million. Amid links to Tottenham, Brentford were firm on their valuation of the 27-year-old but Spurs were not keen on paying that price for a player that would be available on a free next summer with Guglielmo Vicario therefore signed instead.
Bayern Munich then came knocking but that Ԁєɑł collapsed quickly after a loan with option to buy was put forward by the German champions. Perhaps worried about Raya staying, after his replacement had already been signed, the Bees now look to have chosen to slash their asking price to ensure a sale is made, with Arsenal appearing as the beneficiaries.
