David Raya is on Spain’s preliminary list for the Paris Olympic Games, but Arsenal could refuse a call-up to the final squad.

The Spanish national football team are preparing to take part in the Olympics this summer, with the usual Olympic rules that the majority of players in the squad must be under-23, with only three exceptions allowed.

At this stage, it’s still too early for any of the squads to be finalised, but Relevo report that David Raya is on Spain’s preliminary list of over-23 players for the tournament.

Relevo add that Arsenal are free to refuse to release Raya for the competition, as FIFA doesn’t officially recognise the Olympics.

The Gunners may well choose to do so, given Raya is likely to be called up for the European Championships this summer as well.

The story echoes another similar recent report around the French team, for whom Thierry Henry is manager with another former Gunner in Gael Clichy as his assistant.

William Saliba is reportedly on Henry’s shortlist, and unlike Raya, he fits the age limit for the Olympics.

Saliba was born after January 1st, 2001, so he’d make an experienced addition to the side without costing France one of their three overage slots.

But with France playing in the Euros between June 14th and July 14th, and the Olympics taking place from July 24th to August 10th, allowing Saliba to take part in both tournaments would mean he’d spend the whole summer playing football.

Arsenal would then have to allow Saliba to go on holiday during the first three or four weeks of the 2024/25 campaign.

Away from Arsenal’s current squad, Clichy admitted that they’re considering ex-Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette for their team.

“I see that he has a lot of playing time, I see that he is decisive and above all I see that he is a captain,” Clichy said. “He is a part of this list. Inevitably, there will be some surprises.”

32-year-old Lacazette has 19 goals and four assists in 31 games for Lyon this season. He last played for the French national team in November 2017, and his last appearance for the u21s was in October 2012.