Mark McAdam has shared that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal want Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya to ‘compete’ for the number one goalkeeping jersey if the Spaniard secures a transfer from Brentford.
The Sky Sports reporter brought the ‘very surprising’ news that Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing David Raya from Brentford this summer, as he told Sky Sports – he has less than 12 months left on his current deal.
It’s pretty clear that the Bees want to sell, but they have put an asking price of ‘£40 million’ on Raya, with Tottenham previously exploring the idea of signing the wantaway star before they decided to ‘go elsewhere’.
Arsenal signed Aaron Ramsdale from then-relegated Sheffield United in 2021, and whilst he has established himself as a top-quality number one and become an England international, it now seems as though his spot is under threat.
The back-up to Ramsdale is American shot-stopper, Matt Turner, but there are suggestions that he could sign for Nottingham Forest this summer.
That move might prompt Arsenal to put money down for Raya, with McAdam sharing what the message will be to Ramsdale if the Brentford star joins.
“We have gathered our own information to flesh it out a little bit,” said McAdam. “Really surprising news, it will certainly catch a lot of football fans and Arsenal fans, by surprise. Not only have they spent in excess of £200 million on three key players. But there is an interest in the Brentford goalkeeper, David Raya.
“The 27-year-old is into the final year of his current contract. Talks are on-going behind-the-scenes about the next steps and Arsenal want to decide whether they want to formalise their interest. We know that Brentford want £40 million, that’s been the asking price since the window opened in June. There were early discussions with Tottenham, but they decided to go elsewhere.
“The big question everyone is asking. What happens to Aaron Ramsdale? Out information is that Mikel Arteta wants Raya, should of course they get a deal agreed with Brentford, to compete with Aaron Ramsdale so they could both fight it out to be the Arsenal number one.”
Is Raya an upgrade on Ramsdale?
If it so happens to be that Ramsdale is dethroned, then it would be a ruthless move by Mikel Arteta ahead of the team’s Premier League title push.
On one hand, it gives him two keepers who are worthy of being number one for many, many top teams.
But, on the other, if Raya takes the gloves, then it will dent Ramsdale’s confidence and possible England chances because he was trying ever so hard to try to knock Everton’s, Jordan Pickford, as Gareth Southgate’s number one.
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