EPL

Raya joins Arsenal on loan from Brentford

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Arsenal have completed the signing of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on an initial £3m loan deal with a £27m option to buy next season.

With Raya’s move to the Emirates Stadium, the Spain international Aaron Ramsdale and Raya will be competing to be the Gunners’ starting custodian.

Last season, the 27-year-old played in all 38 Premier League games for Brentford. His play was praised by many people.

Before his loan deal, which is said to have cost the north London club around £3 million, he was linked to a £30 million ($35 million) move to Arsenal.

At the end of this season, Arsenal has the option of making the deal with Raya permanent for a reported £27 million.

“We welcome David to us on a season-long loan. David is a top-quality goalkeeper, who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League,” Arsenal Sporting Director Edu said.

“With David joining us we are adding quality and depth to our squad so we can perform at the highest possible level in all competitions.”

Raya was seen at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday to watch title-chasing Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest 2-1 in their first game of the season.

Since coming to Arsenal from Sheffield United in 2021, Ramsdale has done a good job.

But Mikel Arteta, the manager of the Arsenal, wanted Ramsdale to have more competition after selling Matt Turner to the Forest.

Raya will make it very hard for 25-year-old Ramsdale to keep the Arsenal goalkeeper’s jersey.

Raya has kept 20 clean sheets in 62 Premier League games. He has played 161 times for Brentford in all competitions.

Even though the Spaniard moved to a different team on loan on Tuesday, his contract with Brentford has been extended by two years, with an option for an extra year.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles said: “I’m sure the first question that all Brentford fans will ask is why this transfer has been structured as an initial loan with Arsenal having the option to make it permanent in the future.

“The answer to that is simply that it enables this deal to be done more rapidly between both clubs, with all parties wanting to make this a permanent transfer as soon as practically possible, whenever that might be.”