Former Arsenal forward Perry Groves is not convinced David Raya will leave Brentford for the Premier League runners-up unless he is guaranteed a starting spot under Mikel Arteta.
The narrative, following the news that David Raya is in talks over a move to the Emirates Stadium, has focused largely on what this means for Aaron Ramsdale.
Ramsdale, outstanding for much of last season, came in for serious criticism as Arsenal threw away the title in the final stages of a gruelling campaign, blamed for what some labelled point-costing mistakes against both West Ham United and Southampton.
So is Raya arriving to take his place at Arsenal? Is this another example of the cut-throat ruthlessness Mikel Arteta has shown since taking charge of the Gunners in late-2019?
Or are we missing the point? Would signing Raya – out of contract next summer and reluctant to sign a new deal – see Arsenal bring in a high-quality replacement for number two Matt Turner instead, thus bringing serious competition for the number one shirt?
Arsenal eyeing David Raya deal with Brentford
Either way, Groves wonders if a goalkeeper who will turn 28 in September would really risk joining a club where first-team football may not be guaranteed.
“Raya has been brilliant for Brentford,” Groves, a First Division champion in 1989 and 1991, tells talkSPORT.
“Raya wouldn’t go there to be a number two to see if he can oust Ramsdale! He hasn’t got the time in his career (to do that).
“There’s no way David Raya would go to Arsenal (as a back-up) Ramsdale’s is number one.”
One of the finest, most cultured ball-playing goalkeepers on the market; Raya has held talks with Tottenham Hotspur and Bayern Munich this summer. Manchester United also showed an interest before reuniting Andre Onana with his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, meanwhile, is hoping to extract maximum value out of Raya, though doing so may be easier said than done with less than 12 months left on his contract.
“Like everything, it’s a negotiation. I would love to get £40 million,” Frank explains, via the Daily Mail. “That’s what he’s worth. I think he’s one of the best keepers. He was one of the four best keepers in the Premier League last season.
“So what is the price?
“(Harry) Kane, you’re talking one year left and £150 million.”
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