(Football news) David Raya, 27, will have a physical at the club’s London Colney training facility this week before joining the Emirates. Arsenal signed personal terms with Raya last week, but are still negotiating a cost with Brentford.

However, the agreement appears to be completed, with documents scheduled to be exchanged shortly to seal the signing. Raya is likely to sign a five-year contract extension through the summer of 2028.

The Brentford player has just a year left on his current contract and has attracted interest from both Bayern Munich and Tottenham. Brentford, however, rejected both bids because they did not reach the Bees’ £40 million asking price. 

Raya has stated his intention to leave the club this summer, and Brentford have already signed his replacement, Mark Flekken from Bundesliga club Freiburg. As a result, Raya has made only one 45-minute appearance for Thomas Frank’s side during pre-season, against Fulham as part of the Premier League’s Summer Series in America.

With Brentford’s season opener only five days away, it appears that the Bees were eager to finalise a deal rather than risk having Raya sit on the bench for a season before losing him on a free transfer next year.

As a result, Arsenal was able to rush in and sign the keeper for £30 million, less than the original £40 million amount required. Raya will give competition for Arsenal’s No. 1 Aaron Ramsdale, who had a strong season last year.

Ramsdale had a match-winning performance in Arsenal’s recent Community Shield victory over Manchester City, making many outstanding close-range saves. However, he will now have to contend with a more than capable custodian who is vying for a starting spot in Mikel Arteta’s side. Both Ramsdale and Raya want to represent their country at the European Championships next summer, so competition will be fierce.

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