Brentford make a fortune by replacing Arsenal flop - Fabrizio Romano

Carlo Garganese

• 24 Jan 2024 13:25 GMT
• 3 min read

Brentford stand to make a fortune as they replace Arsenal flop David Raya with a new goalkeeper.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday that Brentford will complete the signing of Hakon Valdimarsson from Elfsborg.

The 22-year-old Iceland international will join for a €3.1m fixed fee, with a potential €900,000 in add-ons to make a €4m total package.

Brentford beat Copenhagen and Aston Villa to Valdimarsson, who has won five caps for Iceland. He will have his medical on Wednesday.

As a result of this transfer, Brentford stand to make a fortune in their replacement of David Raya.

Arsenal will soon confirm the permanent signing of Raya from Brentford for €32m.

Thus Brentford will make a €28m profit between bringing in Valdimarsson and selling Raya.

Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford on loan last summer in a controversial deal.

There was an option in the loan to make the deal permanent for €32m, and many fans believe that Arsenal should not sign Raya for good as he has struggled badly this term.

However, in truth, Arsenal were always obliged to sign Raya as the format of the deal was done to help the Gunners bypass Financial Fair Play rules.

Raya displaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one this season in goal.

Ramsdale had performed admirably as they went close to winning the Premier League title last season.

But manager Mikel Arteta believed that Raya would be an improvement on Ramsdale, especially in his distribution and construction from the back.

However Raya has been a big disappointment, making a string of errors and largely looking nervy after displacing Ramsdale as first choice.

Raya to stay at Arsenal

But Raya is now set to sign permanently with the Gunners, with official confirmation arriving shortly.

The 28-year-old Raya has made 16 Premier League appearances this season for Arsenal, conceding 16 goals and keeping six clean sheets.

He has also played five times in the Champions League, conceding three goals and keeping three clean sheets.