Brentford goalkeeper David Raya has admitted that he currently has no plans to sign a new contract amid interest from Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur, speaking to the BBC.
Back in January, The Athletic reported that the chances of Raya putting pen to paper in West London looked slim; Brentford fearing the departure of a player who has not only emerged as one of England’s finest glovesman, but also remains a hugely important part of Thomas Frank’s tactical blueprint.
Those fears, it seems, were not unfounded.
“I don’t think it’s the right time to sign a contract at the moment,” Raya explains, his current deal expiring in 2024.
“I was offered a new contract last year, and one in January. But we didn’t reach an agreement. For now, a new contract is secondary (in my thoughts). The most important thing is the team and the games. We’ll see where we are in May.
“You never know what’s around the corner. There’s nothing I can say about what’s going to happen in the summer. I don’t even know what’s going to happen on Saturday!”
Tottenham Hotspur want Brentford goalkeeper David Raya
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, Raya – a one-time Arsenal target – would relish the opportunity to replace 36-year-old Hugo Lloris as Spurs’ number one. The World Cup winners’ relative lack of confidence with the ball at his feet has been a cause for concern for some time at Tottenham, and Raya would undoubtedly represent a substantial upgrade in that department.
“The goalkeeper could have the shirt with the ‘number 10’,” Jurgen Klopp quipped after Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford last season. “He played a few incredible balls.”
Raya, valued at around £20 million (The Telegraph), has attempted more passes (731) than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League this season. Manchester City’s Ederson coming in second (Fbref).
The good news, as far as Brentford supporters are concerned, is that this is a club who have bounced back stronger in the past after selling star players. Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma, Neal Maupay, Ezri Konsa and Christian Eriksen have all departed in recent windows, yet this is shaping up to be perhaps the finest season in Brentford’s entire history.
“Selling players is something we have been really good at,” Frank tells West London Sport. “I would like to keep (Raya) but it would be better if he had two or three years to go on his contract.
“Some players this season have been sold for £30 or £40 million with one year on their contract. Crazy money.
“I don’t know when is the right time (to sell). But, while David is here, I am very happy with him.”
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