Aaron Ramsdale left sweating over Arsenal future as Mikel Arteta turns to David Raya
Arsenal have decided to activate the option-to-buy clause in David Raya’s loan deal, according to reports. The Spaniard will consequently join the Gunners permanently from Brentford at the end of the season, with sporting director Edu tying up an important piece of transfer business ahead of the winter window.
Raya heading to the Emirates back in August took many by surprise, given that incumbent first-choice goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale had been performing well and was a much-loved character among supporters.
The England international retained his spot between the sticks for the first few weeks of the season, but Raya was drafted in as the new No 1 after a month, and Mikel Arteta has not looked back since.
The bad news doesn’t end there for Ramsdale, as transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that Arsenal have already agreed to turn Raya’s £3million loan deal into a permanent agreement – for a further £27m – by activating a clause with Brentford.
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The move is now said to be ‘guaranteed’, and Raya has put pen to paper on a contract that will keep him at the Emirates Stadium on a long-term basis. Arsenal pursued the deal’s unorthodox structure due to Financial Fair Play limitations, with Brentford willing to oblige.
It remains to be seen whether Ramsdale assesses his options when the transfer market opens in January. There should be no shortage of suitors for the 25-year-old, who was a nailed-on regular when the Gunners narrowly missed out on the Premier League title last term.
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Ramsdale is expected to start against Brentford on Saturday as Raya is ineligible to face his parent club. But a shift back to the familiar pecking order should then take place when Arsenal host Lens in the Champions League next week.
Raya was born in Barcelona but emigrated to England and joined the Blackburn Rovers academy as a teenager. Seven years at Ewood Park preceded his move to the Bees, where he became a full Spanish international.
“David is a top-quality goalkeeper, who has consistently performed to a high level with Brentford in the Premier League,” said Edu after sewing up the loan deal during the summer.
“With David joining us we are adding quality and depth to our squad so we can perform at the highest possible level in all competitions.”
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