Arsenal have already made their first summer transfer decision, as football.london understands it is a case of when, rather than if David Raya puts pen to paper on a permanent move to the Emirates Stadium.
Raya signed on loan from Brentford last summer, with there being a £27million option to buy in that loan deal. After a shaky start to life in north London, Raya made the number one spot his own, usurping fans’ favourite Aaron Ramsdale from the position.
And he was fully deserving of that No.1 role, playing a crucial role in what was the best defence in the league and keeping the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in the Premier League with 16 shutouts.
Raya’s loan move was always with a view to completing a permanent deal, with Mikel Arteta clear on what he wanted from the Spaniard from day one.
However, the Gunners boss appeared to throw something of a spanner in the works when it came to signing Raya permanently. He said: “Those conversations are for after the season, we will review where we are.
“Obviously we are really happy with David and everything that he has brought to the club, to the team, there’s no question about it, but all those decisions are to be made between all of us at the club and we will see.”
football.london understands that those conversations will be positive, however, and the £27million deal will be completed in due course, with the club not expecting any hitches.
That may spell the end for Ramsdale in the red half of north London, with the England shot stopper desperate for more game time. A number of clubs have shown an interest, with Newcastle United the most heavily linked.
Should Ramsdale move on, it would leave Arteta looking for another back-up goalkeeper in the summer transfer window. Arsenal are expected to be busy, on the lookout for a new striker, as well as midfield and defensive reinforcements and a new keeper could be on the shortlist too.
