Manchester United's move for David Raya has taken a step closer after Brentford made their first signing of the summer window.
The Bees have announced they have bought goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Bundesliga side Freiburg for £11million. The Netherlands international would appear to be a direct replacement for Raya, who is set to be on the move this summer.
Raya has established himself as a top Premier League keeper, attracting interest from a range of top sides. United are one of those, with boss Erik ten Hag keen to bring in a new goalkeeper to compete with or take the place of David de Gea.
Bees boss Thomas Frank has already admitted that Raya is up for sale this summer and is making moves to prepare for his departure. That first move came on Wednesday, with the signing of Flekken.
He kept 13 clean sheets in the season just gone, the most in the Bundesliga, to help Freiburg finish fifth in the German top-flight. That form earned him a call-up to the Netherlands squad for their March internationals.
He also attracted the eye of Frank, with the Bees now bringing him to the Premier League, subject to international clearance and a work permit. Flekken has signed a four-year contract, with Frank delighted to see him arrive.
“We’re very happy to have signed Mark. He’s a player with a lot of quality who will strengthen our goalkeeper group. He has big experience and joins us after two great seasons with Freiburg," he said.
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“He was a big part of the team there and now he’s coming to us and will hopefully make the group better and the team better. He’s a very good shot-stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet. His distribution is very impressive.”
Frank confirmed that Raya is likely be on the move this summer following Brentford's final day win over Manchester City. But he insisted that it would cost £40m for the Bees to be convinced to sell him.
“I think we only have one player for sale. That’s the one that’s been talked about a lot, that's David. He costs £40m, I think I said. The rest? We are a selling club. I don’t think that’s a secret," Frank said.
"But they need to be crazy high amounts for the players for anyone to leave. I’m pretty sure that everyone, including myself, is very happy here at Brentford.”
Ten Hag is searching for a new keeper with De Gea still yet to sign a new contract at Old Trafford. The Spaniard had a mixed campaign with the Red Devils and Ten Hag is keen to sign another top-line option.
