Arsenal to confirm €32m signing of transfer flop - Fabrizio Romano

Carlo Garganese

• 17 Jan 2024 14:18 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal will soon confirm the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford for €32 million, despite the on-loan goalkeeper’s dismal season, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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, Romano has explained that this clause was never really an option and Arsenal were always obliged to sign Raya as the format of the deal was done to help the Gunners bypass Financial Fair Play rules.

What did Romano say?

"The Raya deal was going to be permanent at the beginning, but they had to change the structure of the deal because of Financial Fair Play," Romano told GIVEMESPORT.

"From what I've heard, it's already agreed, so I don't know when they will make it official. Brentford decided to help Arsenal with that, but it is not going to change anything. The deal will be made permanent."

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 15 Premier League appearances this season for Arsenal, conceding 16 goals and keeping five clean sheets.

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

Arsenal’s title challenge has taken a hit in recent games as they have gone three matches without a win, losing to West Ham and Fulham.