David Raya has been linked with a move away from Brentford this summer, with Arsenal and Bayern Munich interested.
According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, David Raya will prefer a move to Arsenal despite links to Bayern Munich. Brentford will demand around £40 million to part ways with the 27-year-old Spanish international.
It will be interesting to see if the Gunners are willing to make a push to sign the player this summer after showing interest in him. They already have Aaron Ramsdale as the first-choice goalkeeper at the club, and Raya would have to compete with him for the first-team spot.
The Spaniard will want to play regularly at this stage of his career and a move to Arsenal might not be ideal for him. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich need to find a quality long-term replacement for Manuel Neuer, and Raya would be better off joining them. The German club will be able to offer him regular first-team action, and he would be able to compete for major trophies with them as well.
Fabrizio Romano shared Thomas Frank’s quotes, with the Brentford manager insisting the Spanish international is valued at £40 million. Both clubs certainly have the financial resources to get the deal done. But paying £40 million for a goalkeeper in the final year of his contract does not make sense.
David Raya prefers Arsenal move over Bayern. Deal depends on clubs now but Arsenal expected to bid soon in order to accelerate talks. 🚨🔴⚪️ #AFC
Negotiations with Bayern are currently off after loan offered in the morning — not what player/Brentford wanted. pic.twitter.com/VEEDlV80NY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 30, 2023
The fact that the player prefers Arsenal would certainly come as an encouragement to the Gunners. But they might have other priorities right now. Arsenal have already improved their defence and midfield this summer, and they should look to bring in a versatile attacker who is capable of playing across the front three.
Signing another goalkeeper for £40 million will not make sense for the London club, especially when they have someone like Ramsdale at their disposal. It will be interesting to see if Bayern Munich can beat the competition from the London club and secure the 27-year-old’s signature in the coming weeks.
Raya has been linked with clubs like Chelsea and Tottenham in recent months as well. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. The 27-year-old will likely be the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for Bayern Munich. And he is more likely to win major trophies at Bayern Munich as well.
Although Arsenal have shown tremendous improvement under Mikel Arteta, they are still not at the level required to win the league titles consistently and do well in the UEFA Champions League. But a move to Arsenal might well be on the cards for the 27-year-old Spanish international.
