02 August 2023 , 18:59
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Arsenal target David Raya has been told to spurn a move to North London, with Chelsea encouraged to seal a deal for his services.
The Gunners are considering a move for the Spaniard with Brentford open to selling. Raya has just one year left on his deal, with the Bees having already signed his replacement in the form of Mark Flekken from Freiburg.
Raya was previously interesting the likes of Premier League rivals Manchester United and Tottenham. Bayern Munich were also strongly linked with a swoop for the Spaniard but have failed to reach an agreement with Brentford. That has opened the door for Arsenal but former Premier League striker Darren Bent is far from convinced.
“David Raya is better than Kepa Arrizabalaga,” the former Tottenham forward said on talkSPORT. “So why would Chelsea not go for him?
“And why would David Raya not think, ‘Hold on, why am I going to Arsenal to play behind Aaron Ramsdale? Why don’t I go to Chelsea and be their number one?’ There’s something not quite right with Arsenal’s deal for David Raya. If I was Chelsea, I would be trying to get him.”
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Thomas Frank has offered an insight into a potential deal for Raya on a number of occasions. The Dane has regularly reiterated that the Bees would only sell should their asking price be met.
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He said: ”He is a Brentford player so far as I know. It is an open secret we want to sell him for the right amount. He has been training hard, a good professional. He has been a top I can’t praise him enough.
"Incredibly good in terms of being a top pro, training well and really, really good and positive. I think it’s natural that he would like to leave if it’s a good opportunity for him. We all think it’s a good idea at the right price.
“That means probably means it is probably going towards that and we are focusing on the other keepers we have. It is a good dialogue and everything is in a fine place.”
Whilst Chelsea have been encouraged to seal a deal for Raya, it appears that they already have an alternative in mind. Reports have suggested that the Blues have already launched a bid for Brighton stopper Robert Sanchez.
He has agreed a move to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are yet to agree a fee with Brighton. However, it is suggested that the Blues’ ongoing talks over signing Seagulls star Moises Caicedo are causing an issue over a deal.
Chelsea have already let one of their first-team goalkeepers move this summer. Former goalkeeper of the year Edouard Mendy quit Stamford Bridge for Saudi side Al-Ahli back in June.