David Raya joins Arsenal on loan with an option to buy from Brentford

David Raya is set to join Arsenal on loan, with an option to buy from Brentford.

The Spanish international goalkeeper is moving to Arsenal as competition for current number 1 Aaron Ramsdal.

The deal is expected to see Raya move across London for an initial loan fee of £3m with the option to make the switch permanent for a further £27m next summer.

Raya has one year left on his Brentford contract and will now extend that before moving on.

The 27-year-old bid farewell to staff at the Jersey Road training ground in Brentford on Wednesday and is expected to have a medical with Arsenal on Thursday.

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Arsenal are keen to secure a deal above the line ahead of their first Premier League game of the 2023-24 season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Bayern Munich was also looking for a similar deal for Raya, but the player always preferred a move to Arsenal, where he would be reunited with former Brentford goalkeeper coach Iinaky Cana.

Raya’s move to the Emirates follows former No. 2 player Matt Turner’s move to Nottingham Forest.

The USMNT goalkeeper joined the Premier League club on Wednesday on a four-year deal.

Analysis by Arsenal correspondents Art Des Roches and Jordan Campbell

Mikel Arteta is eager to compete in his team and Ramsdal is the last to put his position under pressure in the event of signing Raya.

Although Matt Turner has impressed the USMNT recently at the Gold Cup, he hasn’t been seen on the same level as Ramsdale, or indeed Raya.

Raya’s confidence with the ball at his feet is also crucial, while Ramsdal had slipped in form last season from his debut at the club and some of his mistakes proved costly.

Some competition may be exactly what is needed to challenge him to new heights.

Additional reporting: James McNicholas

(Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)