Arsenal have now reacted following surprise claims from David Raya at Euro 2024 that the Spain goalkeeper may not seal a permanent transfer from Brentford after his loan.
Raya is currently in Germany offering Roja boss Luis de la Fuente cover for No1 shot-stopper, Unai Simon. The 28-year-old is yet to play a second at Euro 2024 but might come into the XI against Albania next Monday. Spain were the second side to qualify for the knockout stages.
De la Fuente took Raya to Euro 2024 on the back of the five-cap goalie winning the Premier League Golden Glove award on loan for Arsenal. He kept 16 clean sheets in 32 appearances after joining the Gunners on loan from Brentford last August and replacing Aaron Ramsdale.
Arsenal react to David Raya admitting ‘if I stay or not’ after a loan from Brentford
Mikel Arteta hired Raya as he felt the Palleja native represented an upgrade on Ramsdale on the ball. The Arsenal coach soon instilled the Catalan as his squad’s No1 after the September international break, too. Ramsdale only returned for Arsenal’s league games with Brentford.
But while Arsenal have a £27m option to buy Raya after sealing it in his £3m loan move from Brentford, the goalkeeper has raised questions about him staying at Emirates Stadium with a full-time move. Raya has questioned ‘if I stay at Arsenal or not’ as he longs to play in La Liga.
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Yet, according to football.london, Arsenal believe there will be ‘no surprises’ regarding Raya with the goalkeeper still expected to secure a permanent transfer. Instead, the only activity in the goalkeeper department in N5 is with Ramsdale likely to leave to be a No1 elsewhere.
Arsenal should at least question David Raya’s transfer after his surprise claim
Raya questioning ‘if I stay at Arsenal or not’ should be enough to at least make Arteta take a second to consider his permanent transfer from Brentford. While the Gunners hold a clause to buy the Spain international, Raya is hardly proving that he is desperate to stay at the club.
With Raya also dreaming of returning to Spain to finally play in La Liga, having left Spain as a youth, he might not represent the long-term solution Arsenal hope his transfer would mark. So, while Arsenal doubt any surprises, the squad should at least question their commitment.
He did not have a faultless term in N5, either, despite the Golden Glove. Raya cost Arsenal a goal at RC Lens, was often looking nervous on the ball against Manchester City, also cost the Gunners two goals at Luton Town and gifted Tottenham Hotspur one goal to end the season.