Arsenal’s deal to bring in David Raya was two years in the making with the Premier League giants beating North London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur to the former Brentford goalkeeper.
That Mikel Arteta wanted David Raya before bringing Aaron Ramsdale to the Emirates Stadium is certainly no secret.
As such, it maybe shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to see Raya establish himself as Arsenal’s number one, dislodging a man The Gunners only turned to after accepting defeat in the chase for their top target back in 2021 (The Athletic).
Tottenham wanted David Raya before Arsenal move
“Arsenal showed interest for the first time three years ago, in 2021,” Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell, tells AFTV. “They tried to buy him, but Brentford didn’t want to sell him at any price. After ,they bought Ramsdale. That was an easier option.
“But David has always been the priority.”
Arsenal finally got their mitts on Raya last summer. The Spain international moved across the capital in a deal which will eventually cost last season’s Premier League runners-up a cool £30 million.
And The Gunners will take plenty of pride from the fact they managed to barter down a reduced fee, Brentford having started the summer demanding a bigger sum for the one-time Blackburn Rovers keeper.
‘Bayern Munich were interested’
“Arsenal was the club that showed the most concrete interest and have always been our priority,” Munell adds.
“Tottenham were also interested and made an official bid. But it was refused because it was lower than the 40 million euros that Brentford wanted (at the time).
“Also Bayern Munich were interested. (Bayern made) an amazing offer. But with no buy option included and, for this reason, we’ve not accepted it.”
Tottenham, at least, can console themselves with the £17 million acquisition of Guglielmo Vicario, the former Empoli ace arguably the most impressive shot-stopper in the Premier League so far this season.
Interestingly, however, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou was full of praise for Raya following the thrilling 2-2 North London derby draw recently, labelling Arsenal’s new number one ‘outstanding’.
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