Harry Diamond
Brentford are ‘adamant’ that David Raya will not be sold in this transfer window after rejecting ‘multiple’ approaches form Arsenal for the goalkeeper.
Arsenal are on the hunt for a new goalkeeper to provide competition and cover for Bernd Leno, following the decision to allow Emiliano Martinez to leave for Aston Villa in search of regular first-team opportunities, the Argentine completing a £20m transfer to Villa Park last week.
Mikel Arteta has identified Raya as a player he would like as part of his goalkeeping overhaul this summer, though the Championship side are reluctant to allow the 25-year-old to depart as they bid to bounce back after losing the play-off final last season.
Brentford have already sanctioned the sale of leading scorer Ollie Watkins to Aston Villa and are likely to receive interest in Said Benrahama, with the Bees determined to keep hold of as many of their key players as possible in order to launch another promotion push.
According to the Guardian, that determination has seen the club reject several offers for Spanish shot-stopper Raya, the bids from Arsenal believed to be in the region of £10m.
The north London side are close to completing a deal for Dijon goalkeeper Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, though Arteta is keen to sign the Iceland international and Raya before the transfer window closes, in order to allow back-up option Matt Macey to depart in search of first-team football.
The sale of Martinez has handed Arteta additional funds but the Spaniard is still keen to raise more through player sales, a host of players having been deemed surplus to requirements including the likes of Sokratis, Matteo Guendouzi and Lucas Torreira, the latter having been approached by clubs in Italy over a proposed loan deal with option to buy.
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