David Raya Set For Arsenal's Medical, After Finally Reaching Agreement With The Brentford GoalKeeper.

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of goalkeeper David Raya after finally reaching an agreement with Brentford.

The Gunners has reportedly made multiple bids for the Spain international in the summer of 2020 but could not reach an agreement with the stubborn bees, who were battling to secure promotion from the Championship at the time.

However, Arsenal weren’t expected to be in the market for a keeper this summer given Aaron Ramsdale’s impressive form since he joined the club, and responded well to the proposed increased competition by making a couple of huge saves late on in Sunday’s Community Shield victory over treble winners Man City.

But Ramsdale’s current deputy, Matt Turner, looks set to join Nottingham Forest in a deal worth an eventual £10m ahead of the new season. The American shot-stopper, who didn’t appear in the Premier League during his debut season at the club, completed his medical on Monday.

This has forced Arsenal to splash some cash to give their current number one serious competition between the sticks.

Three years on, the North London club have finally struck a deal with Brentford worth close to £30m for their long time target Raya who ‘only wanted’ join Mikel Arteta's side despite interest from Bayern Munich.

Tottenham, Man United and Chelsea were unwilling to meet Brentford huge demand regarding their valuation of Raya all summer at £40m, and it was no surprise Arsenal’s opening bid, believed to be in the region of £20m, was quickly shunned.

The Bees are in a good position to handle their 27-year-old goalKeeper exit this summer who made it clear he would not extend his contract beyond next year, and didn't want to lose him on a free.

They have now achieved a remarkable return on a Raya who cost them £2.7m when he signed from Blackburn in 2019, and were also quick to sign a replacement in Mark Flekken from Freiburg at the start of the window. 

Raya who has already agreed personal terms will provide ample competition for Ramsdale, who will likely remain Arsenal's number one goalkeeper for the time being.

Although Raya's quality means he won’t want to serve as a mere backup. The Spaniard was one of the Premier League’s best-performing goalkeepers last season and he undoubtedly has the capacity to battle Ramsdale between the sticks.

Arsenal's goalkeeping coach, Iñaki Caña, worked closely with Raya during his own time at Brentford.

The arrival of such expensive competition, pushes Arsenal’s spending this summer towards £240m, as he becomes their fourth signing this summer after Declan Rice, Jurriën Timber and Kai Havertz.

Arsenal aim to sell more squad players during pre-season to offset some of their spending and have rejected an offer from Monaco for the striker Folarin Balogun, who they are thought to value at around £50m. Internazionale are among others interested in Balogun.

Raya will undergo a medical at London Colney later this week, and hopefully be unveiled before Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest on Saturday noon.