David Raya is set to join Arsenal on loan with an option to buy from Brentford.
The Spanish international goalkeeper is moving to Arsenal as competition for current No 1 Aaron Ramsdale.
The deal is expected to see Raya move across London for an initial £3million loan fee with the option of making the switch permanent for a further £27m next summer.
Raya has one year left on his contract with Brentford and will now extend that ahead of the transfer.
The 27-year-old bid farewell to staff at Brentford’s Jersey Road training ground on Wednesday with a medical with Arsenal now expected on Thursday.
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Arsenal are keen to get a deal over the line ahead of their first Premier League game of the 2023-24 season against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Bayern Munich had also been exploring a similar deal for Raya, but the player always favoured a switch to Arsenal, where he will be reunited with former Brentford goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana.
Raya’s move to the Emirates follows former No 2 Matt Turner’s switch to Nottingham Forest.
The USMNT goalkeeper joined the Premier League club on Wednesday on a four-year deal.
GO DEEPER
Explained: Why Arsenal want David Raya and where does it leave Aaron Ramsdale?
Analysis by Arsenal correspondents Art de Roche and Jordan Campbell
Mikel Arteta is keen for competition in his squad and Ramsdale is just the latest who would have his position put under pressure should Raya be signed.
Though Matt Turner has impressed for USMNT recently in the Gold Cup, he is not seen as the same level as Ramsdale, or indeed Raya.
Raya’s confidence with the ball at his feet is also crucial while Ramsdale had a drop-off in form last season from his debut campaign at the club and some of his errors proved costly.
It could be that some competition is exactly what is required to challenge him to reach new heights.
Additional reporting: James McNicholas
(Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
