Arsenal’s Raya deal sparks transfer domino effect

Tom Hancock
Tom Hancock
  • 4 Aug 2023 13:54 BST
  • 3 min read
David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale and the Arsenal badge on a red abstract background
© ProShots

It’s all change between the sticks at Arsenal – and as the Gunners close in on David Raya, another goalkeeper looks set to depart.

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Nottingham Forest are said to have made a bid for Matt Turner – who joined Arsenal last summer but has never paid a Premier League appearance.

In fact, the United States international has featured only seven times for the Gunners in all competitions, predominantly in the Europa League.

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According to Fabrizio Romano, talks between Arsenal and Forest over a deal for Turner are ‘advancing’.

Romano adds that the Gunners are closing in on the capture of Raya from Brentford, too, with last season’s Premier League runners-up reportedly looking to sign the Spain international for around £20m – despite Brentford boss Thomas Frank stating that the Bees want £40m.

Where this might leave Aaron Ramsdale remains somewhat unclear, but it seems very much like Mikel Arteta intends to make Raya his new number one having grown increasingly frustrated with the incumbent’s sloppiness in possession.

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Arsenal’s army of ‘keepers

Even if Turner leaves the Emirates Stadium before Raya arrives – if, indeed, he does – Arsenal’s goalkeeping ranks are so deep that they will still have four shot-stoppers on their books.

In addition to Ramsdale, Iceland international Runar Alex Runarsson is still under contract – having spent last season on loan at Turkish Super Lig outfit Alanyaspor – along with Estonia number one Karl Hein, and academy product Arhur Okonkwo.

Arsenal and Brentford are expected to continue talks in order to try and trash out a deal for Raya – who is said to be keen on a switch to North London.

Brentford have already braced themselves for losing the 27-year-old by signing Netherlands ‘keeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg.

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