Arsenal is on the verge of finalizing the permanent signing of Brentford’s David Raya for €32 million, as confirmed by Fabrizio Romano. Despite a challenging season for the on-loan goalkeeper, the deal is set to be made permanent, raising questions among fans about the wisdom of such a move.
Raya initially joined Arsenal from Brentford on a loan deal last summer, sparking controversy. The agreement included an option for Arsenal to secure his services permanently for €32 million. However, Romano clarified that the option was more of an obligation, and the structure of the deal was adjusted to navigate Financial Fair Play rules.
The Financial Fair Play rule compelled Arsenal to alter the contract’s structure, emphasizing the mandatory nature of the permanent signing. Romano revealed, “Originally, the contract with Raya was supposed to be permanent, but they had to change the structure of the contract because of the Financial Fair Play rule.”
While some fans are skeptical about Raya’s performance this season, Romano assured that the clause was already agreed upon. Despite Brentford’s assistance in facilitating the deal, the fundamental nature of the contract remains unchanged – it will be a permanent transfer.
Raya, taking over from Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s primary goalkeeper this season, has faced criticism for his inconsistent form. Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s manager, believed that Raya could enhance Ramsdale’s skills, particularly in distribution and playmaking from the back.
Despite Ramsdale’s commendable performance in the previous season, Arteta opted for Raya, anticipating improvements in certain aspects of the game. However, Raya’s tenure as the first-choice goalkeeper has been marked by disappointment, with notable mistakes and a visible nervousness.
The imminent permanent signing of Raya is set to be officially announced soon. The 28-year-old goalkeeper has featured in 15 Premier League games this season, conceding 16 goals and securing five clean sheets.
Additionally, he has contributed to Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, playing five matches, scoring three goals, and maintaining three clean sheets.
As Arsenal faces a recent downturn in form, going three games without a win in the title race, the decision to make Raya’s signing permanent adds an intriguing dimension to the club’s goalkeeping dynamics and raises further questions about the overall strategy in the transfer market.
