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Report: Arsenal have now ditched plans to sign David Raya after promotion

Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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According to The Sun, Arsenal are shelving their interest in signing David Raya following Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League.

It’s claimed that Arsenal have been chasing Raya for more than a year following the recommendation of goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.

Arsenal couldn’t pull off a deal last summer, instead signing another Cana recommendation in Runar Runarsson, with Raya signing a new deal at Brentford.

This new report suggests that the contract included a £10million release clause if Brentford missed out on promotion, which Arsenal were ready to activate.

Yet with Brentford beating Swansea City 2-0 in Saturday’s Championship playoff final, the Bees are now up in the Premier League and the clause no longer exists.

With that, Arsenal have now ended their interest, seemingly realising that he will cost much, much more than £10million now.

David Raya
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Bernd Leno’s future is up in the air, Mat Ryan’s loan spell has come to an end and Runarsson just isn’t good for the Premier League right now.

Arsenal do need to find another goalkeeper, but it won’t be Raya, who has been branded ‘really brave’, ‘very important’ and ‘one of the best’ by boss Thomas Frank.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 29: David Raya of Brentford in action during the Sky Bet Championship Play Off Final match between Brentford and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on May 29, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images