Everyone knew it was just a matter of when not if. According to reports, Arsenal have now taken the necessary steps to make goalkeeper David Raya’s loan move a permanent one.
Raya to Continue at Arsenal
Consolidating His Position in North London
Writing on his social media account, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Arsenal have formally activated the buy option for Raya. As informed in earlier reports, the transfer fee will be £27 million. An official club statement is expected soon.
Last summer, Arsenal acquired the goalkeeper from Brentford on loan with a buy option to ensure they didn’t violate Financial Fair Play rules. There was a consensus among the club hierarchy to make the move permanent this summer.
Raya is set to carry on as Arsenal’s number one next term. He will hope to continue his form and help the Gunners win the league, which they lost to Manchester City by two points in 2023/24.
Why Does Mikel Arteta Prefer Raya?
There was scepticism initially when he arrived, but he forced his critics into silence by putting in good performances, which saw his manager call him “outstanding”. The Spaniard went on to win the EPL Golden Glove as he kept 16 clean sheets in just 32 games.
His outstanding ability with the ball at his feet has brought a sense of calmness to the Arsenal backline. Raya also has been proactive in claiming crosses to end the opposition’s aerial threat, unlike Aaron Ramsdale who often opts to punch the ball away during crosses. The English goalkeeper’s erratic displays saw him eventually lose his place in the starting lineup. He is most likely to be shited out permanently during this transfer window.
Read More: Three Positions That Arsenal Need To Prioritise In This Transfer Window
Raya is currently on international duty in the Euro 2024 with Spain, who have made it to the quarterfinals. He has so far featured only in the group match against Albania, where he kept a clean sheet to help his side win 1-0.
