Arsenal have concluded the transfer of Spanish goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford, with the 27-year-old joining on loan with an option to buy next summer.
Former Brentford star Raya made it clear to the Bees that he was not going to extend his contract, which was due to expire in 2024. The Spaniard decided to leave the club this summer instead of moving for free next summer. Tottenham Hotspur were interested in the 27-year-old, striking an agreement on personal terms with the player but failing to complete his signing as they could not pay what his club wanted. Spurs ended up signing Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, instead, for around half of the quoted price for Raya.
Arsenal stepped up to sign the Spaniard despite strong interest from Bayern Munich, and reached an agreement to sign Raya on a season-long loan for £3m, with an option to buy for around £27m.
The Gunners retain a longstanding interest in Raya, having first tried to sign him four years ago unsuccessfully. The 27-year-old has matured and improved his game while at the GTech Community Stadium and will provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates Stadium.
Raya has been handed the number 22 shirt and directly replaced Matt Turner, who left Arsenal to join Nottingham Forest about a week ago.
