Arsenal are set to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent deal and will proceed with the transfer in the next few days, Fabrizio Romano revealed.
Raya, who joined Arsenal on a season-long loan last summer, impressed for the Gunners as he won the Premier League’s Golden Glove in his first season at the Emirates.
The Spaniard was Mikel Arteta’s number-one option throughout the campaign as Aaron Ramsdale watched on from the sidelines and now looks certain to leave this summer.
The Gunners will activate a buy option clause included in Raya’s loan deal and will make him the first signing of the summer as Romano revealed Arteta is ‘super happy’ to keep the 28-year-old at the Emirates.
Raya kept 16 clean sheets in the Premier League last season as Arsenal mounted another title challenge and finished second, just two points behind Manchester City.
Arsenal Set to Sign David Raya
Arteta wanted him to stay
Writing in his Daily Briefing, Romano revealed that Arsenal already had a ‘pact’ with Brentford to sign Raya this summer:
Raya, who received praise from ex-Arsenal player Martin Keown after his Champions League penalty shootout heroics against Porto, appeared in 41 matches last season, keeping 20 clean sheets.
| David Raya Stats (2023-24) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Competition | Games | Goals conceded | Clean sheets |
| Premier League | 32 | 24 | 16 |
| Champions League | 9 | 7 | 4
|
Raya ‘clear number one’ for Arteta
After making just 11 appearances for Arsenal last season, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is now expected to leave the club this summer, Romano revealed in the Daily Briefing:
Ramsdale, who joined from Sheffield United in 2021, enjoyed little playing time last campaign as Arteta trusted Brentford loanee Raya in goal.
The 26-year-old is expected to switch Premier League clubs this summer – Newcastle and Chelsea both showed interest in Ramsdale in the January transfer window.
The Telegraph claim that Arsenal are already keen to find a replacement for the out-of-favour goalkeeper and target Feyenoord stopper Justin Bijlow.
