David Raya is set to join Arsenal on an initial loan with an option to buy, with a medical expected on Thursday to finalise the deal.

On Wednesday evening, David Ornstein broke the news that David Raya’s move to Arsenal would actually be on an initial loan deal, rather than the permanent transfer most outlets had previously reported.

According to Ornstein, Arsenal are taking Raya on a £3m loan, with a £27m option to buy.

Raya will extend his contract before leaving Brentford, so they won’t lose him on a free transfer if Arsenal opt against activating their option.

The goalkeeper said his goodbyes to Brentford staff at the training ground on Wednesday, and a medical is expected on Thursday.

Kaya Kaynak of Football.London confirms that Raya will extend his deal with Brentford before completing a £3m loan, with Arsenal having the option to buy, not an obligation.

However, Fabrizio Romano reports that the clause could be automatically activated if Raya makes a certain number of appearances.

Brentford reportedly accepted the initial loan formula for the transfer to help Arsenal with Financial Fair Play regulations.

The deal will certainly suit Arsenal, with the Gunners bringing Raya in for an initial fee less than they’ve just received for Matt Turner’s sale.

If Mikel Arteta wants to keep the 27-year-old beyond this year, Arsenal will obviously then have to pay up the other £27m.

But that’s a problem for next summer, and £27m seems like a fair price if Raya can perform as well as he did last season.

Raya was already spotted in the stands at Wembley as Arsenal took on Manchester City at the weekend.

The goalkeeper made 39 appearances for Brentford last season, keeping 12 clean sheets.

Raya has also played his way into contention for a spot in the Spanish national team over the last year and a half, making his debut last March and travelling to the World Cup.