Arsenal have signed goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on an initial loan deal with a £27m buy option. The deal is worth an initial £3m, with a further £24m payable if Arsenal trigger the buy option.
The deal is structured in this way to help Arsenal with Financial Fair Play (FFP). Arsenal are currently over their FFP spending limit, but the loan deal will not count towards their spending limit for this season. If Arsenal trigger the buy option in 2024, the full £27m fee will count towards their spending limit for that season.
Raya is a highly rated goalkeeper who has been in excellent form for Brentford in recent seasons. He was named the Championship Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021-22. Raya is expected to provide competition for Aaron Ramsdale for the number one spot at Arsenal.
The signing of Raya is a significant coup for Arsenal. He is a talented goalkeeper who is still relatively young. He has the potential to be Arsenal’s number one goalkeeper for many years to come.
The deal is also a good deal for Brentford. They receive a significant fee for Raya, and they also get to keep him for the 2022-23 season.
Raya will be a valuable asset to Brentford as they look to build on their impressive performance in their first season in the Premier League.
The deal is a win-win for both Arsenal and Brentford. Arsenal get a talented goalkeeper who can challenge for the number one spot, and Brentford get a significant fee for a player who they would have lost for free next summer.