Arsenal transfer news: It seems as though a deal for David Raya is expected to push through, but he won’t feature against Nottingham Forest this weekend.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has confirmed that David Raya is set to join Arsenal this summer, claiming he is “expecting” the deal to be completed “soon”.
It comes as the Spaniard prepares a switch that football.london understands is an initial £3million season-long loan deal with an option to buy at £27million. While it isn’t an obligation to make the deal permanent, the expectation from all sides is that a deal will be completed next summer.
Raya is set to join after USMNT international shotstopper Matt Turner made the switch from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest earlier in the week. The glovesman could be starting in goal for the East Midlands side when they visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in their first game of the new Premier League season.
With the incoming goalkeeper expected to replace Turner and bring in extra competition with Aaron Ramsdale for the number one position, he won’t feature against Forest at all. football.london understands that Arsenal missed the deadline to register Raya as part of their squad to face Nottingham Forest this weekend, with the 12pm curfew on Friday passed.
That means Karl Hein is likely to make the bench on Saturday, with fellow goalkeepers Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson and Arthur Okonkwo both on loan for the season. The move for Raya does represent the side being able to read the market for opportunities to strengthen where possible.
With the triple signing of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber for roughly £200million, the Gunners appeared to have their moves all wrapped up. With Raya becoming available in a deal that works for all parties, they’ve managed to land themselves a top goalkeeping option.
When it comes to further signings past the Spaniard, Mikel Arteta was keen to stress there wasn’t anyone particular in mind, but he would never say never with a fluid market situation. The manager told reporters ahead of the Forest clash: “At the moment we’re not planning to do anything [else after David Raya signs]. The window is very unpredictable though.”
It remains to be seen whether any other situations could change that stance, with changes forcing the side to try and land Douglas Luiz and Moises Caicedo over the past two transfer deadline days.
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