31 July 2023 , 18:10
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David Raya would favour a move to Arsenal over Bayern Munich as both clubs weigh up a move for the Brentford goalkeeper.
Raya, 27, has just one year remaining on his current contract and has refused to sign a new deal. The Bees are aiming to cash in on the Spanish international in the summer transfer window rather than losing him for nothing next year, however, nobody has been willing to meet their £40million asking price.
Manchester United and Tottenham were both credited with an interest in Raya's services earlier in the summer but both have now signed new goalkeepers. And although it seemed as though interest in the former Blackburn Rovers shot-stopper had cooled in recent weeks, Arsenal have now emerged as surprise suitors.
The Gunners would like Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for the No.1 berth in north London and could have the edge as Bayern are believed to favour a loan deal only. Furthermore, The Athletic have outlined that Raya's preference would be to join Arsenal, who are expected to approach the Bees for talks in the coming days.
Brentford snapped up Mark Flekken earlier this summer in anticipation of Raya moving on and head coach Thomas Frank has reiterated in recent days that the shot-stopper is free to leave the club for the fight price.
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"David is a Brentford player so far and I haven’t been told anything different," Frank told BBC Sport over the weekend. "It’s an open secret that we are willing to sell him for the right amount. He’s training hard and a good professional.
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David Raya is being courted by both Arsenal and Bayern Munich (Brentford FC YouTube)"Right now he’s at the club and then we will find the best to do. I think it’s natural that he would like to leave if it’s a good opportunity for him. We all think it’s a good idea at the right price. That probably means going towards that and focusing on the other keepers we have, I think that is completely natural."
Arsenal have already spent in excess of £200m this summer on deals for Declan Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz, so further incomings are likely to hinge heavily on the Londoners' ability to offload a number of players who are surplus to requirement.
Ramsdale established himself as Arsenal's No.1 goalkeeper shortly after moving to the Emirates from Sheffield United back in 2021. The England international was an ever-present in the Gunners side which finished second in the Premier League last term.
Raya has clocked up over 150 appearances for Brentford and has played a starring role during the two seasons the Bees have enjoyed in the top-flight since winning promotion in 2021.
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