Raya drops MAJOR hint on Arsenal future
Cameron Smith
- 17 Oct 2023 12:28 BST
- 4 min read
David Raya has admitted that he would like to join Arsenal permanently in 2024 after his loan move at the Emirates Stadium ends.
Raya, 28, joined Arsenal on loan from Brentford this summer, and the Gunners have the option to make the deal permanent for €31 million next year.
The Spaniard initially sat on the bench upon his arrival, but he has now firmly ousted Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper.
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Raya has started the past six games in all competitions, with Ramsdale’s last appearance coming in the 3-1 win over Manchester United on 3 September.
Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Bayern Munich were all linked with a move for Raya during the most recent transfer window, but were put off by Brentford’s asking price.
That allowed Arsenal to swoop and agree a loan with a buy option deal for the Spanish shot-stopper.
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Now, Raya has admitted that he wants to join the Gunners on a permanent deal. He was asked by The Athletic whether he would seal the move now, and responded: “Yes, I would have done it yesterday (if I could).”
"I have taken an important step at club level. I am at one of the most important clubs in the world, so that is an incentive and gives you pride, competing in the Champions League, which was one of my objectives.”
Raya then spoke about Mikel Arteta’s impact on his decision to join Arsenal. “I had a few conversations with Mikel before making the signing because it was complicated, the financial issue and so on,” Raya admitted.
“He was one of the coaches I wanted to work with, his philosophy, how he has transformed Arsenal with the way he has played and it was very important to have him as a coach.”
Ramsdale relationship
Raya has replaced Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one, but the Spaniard has insisted their relationship is still strong.
“It’s very good,” he said. “At the end of the day, we are mates, which is the important thing. We have a very healthy relationship. There are no problems.
“We push each other every day in training: when he’s a little bit down, I push him, and when I’m a little bit down (he does the same). We train three goalkeepers, four at the most, for hours a week, and you need that kind of relationship because otherwise, the training is not going to go well.”
