Arsenal are set to bid for David Raya, but not at the £40m valuation Brentford reportedly have on the goalkeeper.
Dharmesh Sheth told Sky Sports on Monday that internal talks are continuing at Arsenal over their next step in the potential signing of David Raya.
Arsenal are expected to place a bid for the goalkeeper, and Sheth confirms the Gunners have a long-standing interest in him.
But with Raya in the final year of his contract and Brentford already having signed a replacement, Arsenal aren’t keen to meet Brentford’s demands.
The Daily Mail report that Brentford value Raya at £40m, whilst Arsenal are hoping to pay a fee closer to £30m for the 27-year-old.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have now made contact with Raya’s camps to open salary negotiations, with the player preferring a move to north London over joining rival suitors Bayern Munich.
There shouldn’t be any issues with Raya, but the key potential complication will be between the clubs, as Romano again notes that Brentford are insisting on a £40m fee.
On Sunday afternoon, David Ornstein broke the news that Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Raya from Brentford this summer.
The Gunners reportedly want Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for a starting spot.
Bayern Munich’s chances in the race have taken a major hit in recent days, with Raya preferring Arsenal, and neither Raya nor Brentford keen on Bayern’s loan proposal.
Raya made 39 appearances for Brentford last season, keeping 12 clean sheets.
The goalkeeper was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in 2020, but he ended up extending his contract to 2024. With that deal now running down, it looks like the Spaniard might get a second chance to make the switch.