Chelsea are reprotedly keen to make a move for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the summer transfer window.
According to Fichajes, Premier League giants Chelsea are keen to make a punt in the summer for the services of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
The 27-year-old has been a key cog of Thomas Frank’s side in recent years. He joined the Bees in 2019 and shared the Championship Golden Glove in his very first season in English football. Since then, he not only helped Brentford gain promotion, but also establish themselves as top-flight regulars.
The Spaniard’s deal at the London club expires in the summer of 2024, and he is yet to pen a fresh deal. He is unlikely to sign an extension and could move on the cheap when the summer window opens. This has alerted not just Chelsea, but also Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to his services.
The Blues have enjoyed considerably lavish outlays in the previous two transfer windows. Todd Boehly has spared no expense in ensuring that the club more or less lands their major transfer targets. One position that is yet to be addressed is at the back.
Edouard Mendy started the campaign as the club’s number one but has fallen behind Kepa Arrizabalaga in the pecking order following Graham Potter’s arrival. However, neither goalkeeper has been able to make the slot their own, and a new number one appears to be on the agenda in the summer.
Chelsea are in pole position to sign Raya and appear set to make a €25 million offer for the 27-year-old’s services. While the Bees would loathe losing their dependable last line of defence, selling him for the quoted price would hand them a significant profit for a player who cost them peanuts just four years ago.
An excellent shot-stopper, Raya’s reflexes and speed make him a reliable player to guard the net. He has maintained 16 clean sheets in 46 Premier League games and has shown signs that he can thrive in a better side.
Potter likes to play a possession-based style of football that makes use of the ball. Bringing in a goalkeeper who is good on the ball and has solid distribution can certainly be a game-changer. One has seen Alisson Becker provide assists to the furthest forwards at Liverpool, and there is no reason why Raya cannot do the same should Chelsea adopt the same tactic.
The Blues have not cowed away from spending money when it matters, and bringing in Raya is more of a necessity than a luxury. Whether Boehly will act fast when the window opens at the end of the season remains to be seen.
