David Raya, the Brentford goalkeeper, has been linked with a move to Manchester United and Tottenham as they look to replace their long-term stars David De Gea and Hugo Lloris. However, the Premier League sides are not the only clubs interested in signing the 27-year-old Spaniard. According to The Telegraph, Raya has attracted interest from some of the top sides in LaLiga, which could hurt the English teams’ chances of completing a transfer. The report suggests that the Spanish clubs would be willing to wait till his contract expires to sign him for free.
Raya has rejected two contract offers to extend his stay at Brentford, with his current deal set to expire at the end of next season. This means that Man United and Tottenham would have to accelerate their efforts to sign the goalkeeper. Manager Thomas Frank has insisted that it would cost “at least” £40million to sign the Spanish international. When asked if Raya will stay at the club earlier this month, he said: “I think we need to get into the Champions League and then he would consider it. I love David as a keeper. I really believe he is one of the best in the Premier League. If someone wants to come and buy him, he is very expensive. He will be, for me, at least £40m-plus. No doubt about that.”
However, the Bees are braced to lose Raya and are lining up a move for his potential replacement, Dutch international keeper Mark Flekken, according to reports. Flekken built his career with lower-league German clubs Alemannia Aachen, Greuther Furth and MSV Duisburg before Freiburg signed him in 2018. They want to offer the Enschede-born keeper a new deal, with a release clause higher than the £11.44million in his existing contract.
Raya has been an integral part of Brentford’s success this season, helping them to reach the Championship play-off final. He has kept 16 clean sheets in 45 appearances this season, conceding just 33 goals. Raya’s impressive performances have caught the eye of several top clubs, and it remains to be seen where he will end up next season.
If Raya does leave Brentford, it will be a huge loss for the club. However, they have shown in the past that they are capable of finding quality replacements for their star players. Brentford have a reputation for developing young talent and selling them on for big profits. They have also been successful in identifying undervalued players from lower leagues and turning them into stars.
Brentford’s success this season has been built on a solid defensive foundation, with Raya playing a key role in their impressive defensive record. The Bees have conceded just 38 goals in 46 league games this season, the second-best defensive record in the Championship. Raya’s shot-stopping ability and command of his area have been crucial to their success, and he will be sorely missed if he does leave the club.
In conclusion, David Raya is a highly sought-after goalkeeper who has attracted interest from some of the top sides in LaLiga as well as Manchester United and Tottenham. Brentford will be hoping to keep hold of him, but if he does leave, they have shown in the past that they are capable of finding quality replacements. Raya has been a key player for Brentford this season, and his departure would be a huge loss for the club.