Real Madrid have considered a move for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya, according to a report, though they view it as a difficult one to pull off.
Alan Nixon reports for The S*n that Real Madrid are on the lookout for a goalkeeper this summer, as they consider selling current backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
The Spanish club want a long-term successor to Thibaut Courtois, and they’re considering a move for Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.
But one alternative option Real Madrid have looked at is a move for Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
A transfer doesn’t look particularly likely right now, with Nixon reporting that a deal would be even harder to pull off than one for Verbruggen.
Arsenal need to be signing more goalkeepers this summer, rather than letting them go, and Raya has had another strong campaign. Only Matz Sels (13) has kept more clean sheets than Raya (12) in the Premier League so far, meaning the Spaniard is still in contention to win the Golden Glove.
Yet the Gunners have done a lot of groundwork for Espanyol’s Joan Garcia. If push came to shove, it’s not impossible they could cash in on Raya and use the proceeds to bring in the 24-year-old.
Even then, Arsenal would still need to sign another goalkeeper, or convince returning loanee Karl Hein to play a backup role next season. With Neto going back to Bournemouth, Raya and Hein will be Arsenal’s only fully-fledged senior goalkeepers.
So Real Madrid’s interest is worth noting, but a lot of dominoes need to fall before a move can really be considered.