David Raya: Arsenal sign Spain goalkeeper on season-long loan from Brentford - BBC Sport
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David Raya: Arsenal sign Spain goalkeeper on season-long loan from Brentford

Last updated on .From the section Arsenalcomments606

Mikel Arteta, David Raya and Edu
David Raya has been capped twice by Spain at international level

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make the move permanent.

Raya, 27, will provide competition for England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and has taken the number 22 shirt.

He has also signed a new two-year contract with Brentford to ensure the deal could be completed quickly.

"I'm over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up," Raya said.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles explained Raya's contract extension was a "fall-back position" in the event that the transfer did not become permanent but said he was "not expecting to see Raya back at Brentford".

"I'm sure the first question that all Brentford fans will ask is why this transfer has been structured as an initial loan with Arsenal having the option to make it permanent in the future," Giles told Brentford's website.

"The answer to that is simply that it enables this deal to be done more rapidly between both clubs, with all parties wanting to make this a permanent transfer as soon as practically possible, whenever that might be."

Barcelona-born Raya joined Blackburn as a 16-year-old in July 2012 where he went on to make 108 appearances in all competitions.

He signed for Brentford in July 2019 for a fee in the region of £3m and was a key part of the Bees side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2021.

He kept 11 Premier League clean sheets last season as the Bees finished ninth.

Raya acknowledged Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta's blueprint for the Gunners was integral to his decision to join the club.

"I spoke to the boss and he sent me the values of what Arsenal are about," he added.

"The way that the club is going, it's growing even more so it is a beautiful challenge to take and I couldn't say no.

MOTD2: Does Raya give Arsenal a problem with selection?

"I've seen Arsenal a lot for a lot of years and since [Arteta] came he's made a massive difference to the style of play and to the club.

"The way the team plays out of the back, being confident and taking possession to the other team is the main thing why I fit into the team. I'm going to try and help as much as possible and we'll see what happens."

Raya has made 161 appearances for Brentford and made his international debut for Spain against Albania in March 2022, playing once more his country since.

Arsenal sporting director Edu added: "David is a top-quality goalkeeper, who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League.

"With David joining us we are adding quality and depth to our squad so we can perform at the highest possible level in all competitions."

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606 comments

  • Comment posted by antonya, at 14:23 15 Aug 2023

    People ignorant on how smart this is. Turner, the backup keeper wanted to go, so AFC needed another. Raya has one season left on contract and wanted a move, Brentford had signed replacement already. AFC pay £3m loan fee; minimal cost for superb alternative option plus option to buy next summer. Raya has signed new contract so Brentford can still sell, they’re happy and AFC have amazing gk options.

    • Reply posted by Richard, at 14:37 15 Aug 2023

      Richard replied:
      Rare to find such a sensible comment as this!

  • Comment posted by gur, at 14:50 15 Aug 2023

    Now Arsenal just need to sign another coach, to give competition to Arteta.

    • Reply posted by HP92, at 15:37 15 Aug 2023

      HP92 replied:
      will they get one on loan?

  • Comment posted by Taxi for Sunak, at 14:34 15 Aug 2023

    As he does not play for Man U any fouls he commits as a goalkeeper will lead to penalties

  • Comment posted by Gunner2Grave, at 14:35 15 Aug 2023

    Maybe Arteta is thinking about playing Reya and Ramsdale as inverted goalkeepers. 2 inverted goalkeepers and 2 inverted fullbacks! Trust the process LMAO!

  • Comment posted by xraybaby, at 14:26 15 Aug 2023

    This is possibly the most confusing transfer yet, this window. Who will be first choice? What's the thinking? One of them is gonna be pretty cheesed off pretty soon. Hopefully the manager will explain the thinking and the plan at the next news conference.

    • Reply posted by Greg, at 14:43 15 Aug 2023

      Greg replied:
      Yes one of them will be cheesed off, but whichever one that is can leave next summer. In the meantime, Arsenal have spent 3 million to have two very good goalkeepers for a season, competition to push up standards, and they can decide which they want to keep longer term.

  • Comment posted by Deathmam, at 14:14 15 Aug 2023

    How does loaning out your No.1 keeper to a better team benefit you in any way?

    • Reply posted by Sam, at 14:19 15 Aug 2023

      Sam replied:
      Buying a keeper for 3M (with a year left on his contract) and selling for 30m, I can see 27 million reasons why ....

  • Comment posted by Come the Glorious Day, at 16:08 15 Aug 2023

    Surprised people aren’t aware that goalkeepers can get injured and that having a good reserve can serve teams well.

    • Reply posted by Jim, at 16:13 15 Aug 2023

      Jim replied:
      How many games did Matt Turner play last season? How many has Ramsdale missed through injury in his entire career let alone one season. Both in the very low single figures I suspect.

  • Comment posted by Sonny, at 14:25 15 Aug 2023

    I would be looking very closely over my shoulder if I was Ramsdale. There is no way you spend that kind of money on someone to keep the bench warm.

    • Reply posted by Cortalini, at 14:27 15 Aug 2023

      Cortalini replied:
      What money ?

  • Comment posted by Hambone, at 15:33 15 Aug 2023

    Good luck David. Great player for the Bees.

    • Reply posted by George Williams, at 16:25 15 Aug 2023

      George Williams replied:
      Arteta's genius idea of getting rid of ramsdale!

      Raya is no number 2 and will be the first choice.

  • Comment posted by Cole, at 14:18 15 Aug 2023

    Not 100% about this one.. undoubtedly a good player, but Ramsdale has been nothing but quality and if he feels the need to justify his place in the starting XI he might start trying to show his ability in games which can lead to mistakes leading to goals conceded.

    Turner was a capable backup/cup keeper - I don't think a top club needs 2 top quality gks in all honesty - City, Liverpool, Utd, etc.

    • Reply posted by Simply_Gooner82, at 14:24 15 Aug 2023

      Simply_Gooner82 replied:
      Clearly a comment from someone who's never kicked a ball. Ramsdale needs competition as does any other player at that level. Turner not good enough for an Arsenal number 2. Ramsdale doesn't catch balls or command the area from set pieces, he has also got an error or two in him. Shot stopping is his best quality. Think before you type my friend.

  • Comment posted by Billy Goat Gruff, at 14:29 15 Aug 2023

    There must be something in this for Brentford. Nothing obvious springs to mind.

    • Reply posted by Dempsey23, at 14:34 15 Aug 2023

      Dempsey23 replied:
      Arsenal will be paying a massive loan fee (so basically a transfer fee), it is just a way round any player issues so Raya has time to negotiate contract with Arsenal without Brentford worrying it won't be done before the window closes.

  • Comment posted by Hugh Jass, at 14:16 15 Aug 2023

    I don’t get it, why?

    • Reply posted by Billy Goat Gruff, at 14:26 15 Aug 2023

      Billy Goat Gruff replied:
      Maybe it is a sale, but calling it a loan for now to keep the FFP guys happy.
      I doubt we ever really hear the truth about these deals.

  • Comment posted by boneyuk, at 14:37 15 Aug 2023

    Ramsdale great shot stopper, Raya great with his feet. Perhaps Arteta will splice the two together. Aavid Raydale. Sounds like a great keeper, but will perhaps look a bit creepy.

    • Reply posted by Biscuit, at 14:43 15 Aug 2023

      Biscuit replied:
      Rays is a great shot stopper as well. He is an upgrade on Ramsdale!

  • Comment posted by nixonneill, at 15:30 15 Aug 2023

    Raya being loaned rather than sold has done Blackburn out of a 12.5% sell on clause.

    • Reply posted by Chris, at 16:57 15 Aug 2023

      Chris replied:
      Which is an absolute disgrace. It will be Championship clubs going bust soon and the investable Super league will rise again.

  • Comment posted by Tallrover, at 16:23 15 Aug 2023

    All the money washing around the Prem and Arsenal do this deal on the cheap, thus doing Blackburn out of circa £3m. That sell on clause for a mid table Championship team is vital. Thanks for nothing Arsenal.

    • Reply posted by Come the Glorious Day, at 16:26 15 Aug 2023

      Come the Glorious Day replied:
      The Walker days are quickly forgotten.

  • Comment posted by Billy Goat Gruff, at 14:35 15 Aug 2023

    This transfer saga is as strange as the Maguire story.

    • Reply posted by WilyOldFox, at 14:37 15 Aug 2023

      WilyOldFox replied:
      No it's not. Turns out its pretty tuff to move a slab of concrete these days.

  • Comment posted by vs777, at 14:16 15 Aug 2023

    Why do they need a starting keeper on the bench??

    • Reply posted by john, at 14:41 15 Aug 2023

      john replied:
      to keep it warm

  • Comment posted by ohound52, at 16:01 15 Aug 2023

    Let's just get this straight. Modern football involves squad depth, cover and competition. This move fulfills all three. It's not a debate for us as to who will start until we get the call. Until then, that's Artetas bag. Kindly let him have that headache.

    My thoughts.. excellent signing

    • Reply posted by Jim, at 16:05 15 Aug 2023

      Jim replied:
      he does know if he plays both on the pitch at the same time only one can be designated to use their hands? This isn't rush goalkeepers. His tactics are getting bizarre trying to overcomplicate things like his mentor.

  • Comment posted by Ananth, at 16:15 15 Aug 2023

    So many comments criticizing Arsenal loaning a very good goalkeeper. Can’t believe anyone actually thinks Hein or Runarsson are good enough to start for Arsenal in the champions league or even in the premier league should Ramsdale get injured.

    • Reply posted by LionelRhodes, at 16:21 15 Aug 2023

      LionelRhodes replied:
      Exactly.

  • Comment posted by john, at 14:36 15 Aug 2023

    Really odd decision by Raya. At 27 he should be wanting to be a number 1 where ever he plays ,but to go to a club ,where you clearly are going to be number 2 is strange.. especially when its only a loan move for a season. This smacks of him having a bust up and Brentford wanting to move him on

    • Reply posted by judorick, at 14:40 15 Aug 2023

      judorick replied:
      nah, the plan is to make Raya #1 next year and sell Ramsdale in summer 24 window for 80-90 million

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