Transfer News: Arsenal cede interest in David Raya

Arsenal have reportedly scrapped their plans to make a move for 25-year-old Spanish goalkeeper David Raya this summer.

According to a report by The Sun, Arsenal are no longer planning to launch the offensive for David Raya in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old Spanish goalkeeper looks set to stay put at Brentford, with his £10 million release clause no longer being valid following the Bees’ promotion to the Premier League.

Raya started his senior footballing career with Blackburn Rovers, where he grew considerably before making a move to Brentford in the summer of 2019. Over the last couple of seasons, the Spaniard has been a key member of the team that has dazzled the Championship and played his part as the Bees secured promotion to the top-flight for the first time in the Premier League era.

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Till date, the 25-year-old has amassed 97 appearances for Brentford, conceding just 84 goals while keeping an impressive 34 clean sheets. His progress over the last couple of years has been noted by one of the biggest clubs in England, with Arsenal being hot on his trails for quite some time now.

In fact, the Gunners had been keen on signing Raya last summer as well following the departure of Emiliano Martinez, who has proven to be one of the signings of the season in the Premier League. In the end, though, a move had failed to materialise, with Arsenal instead choosing to sign Runar Alex Runarsson.

Runarsson, though, has left a lot to be desired in the few appearances he did make, which prompted Arsenal to bring in Mat Ryan on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion in January. While Arsenal now appear set to sign Ryan on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window, there is uncertainty surrounding the future of Bernd Leno.

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To that end, a goalkeeper like Raya could have been the kind of player to pursue this summer, in the instance of Leno calling it quits at the Emirates. Arsenal, though, have now faced a big setback in pursuit of the 25-year-old Spanish shot stopper following Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League.

Raya had a £10 million release clause in his contract in case Brentford were unable to secure a place in the top-flight. That clause, though, is no longer valid, meaning Arsenal will have to stump up a significant sum in order to prise him away from the newly-promoted outfit. Therefore, the north Londoners have now scrapped their plans to sign Raya and it now remains to be seen who they turn their attention towards next.