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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Dom Smith

Thomas Frank confirms David Raya could leave but Brentford boss reiterates commitment to club

David Raya is the only player Brentford are willing to sell this summer, according to manager Thomas Frank, who pledged his future to the club.

The Bees became the only side to do the double over Manchester City this season by beating the champions on the final day of the campaign at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Spanish goalkeeper Raya kept yet another clean-sheet in the victory, and he is courting serious interest from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.

Frank said: “I think we only have one player for sale. That’s the one that’s been talked a lot: David. He costs £40million, I think I said.

“We are a selling club — I don’t think that’s a secret. But they need to be crazy high amounts for the players if we want to have anyone to leave. I’m pretty sure that everyone, including myself, is very happy here at Brentford.”

Speaking about beating City home and away in a single season, Frank added: “Of course it means something. We top-performed in two games. It’s the best offensive team in the world so you have to defend well.

“I hope they win the Champions League for English football. No matter which players City put out, it’s top players. they had eight top Premier League players out there and three of the biggest talents in the world.

“Ending ninth in the Premier League, getting 59 points and [we] actually maybe deserved to have even more, it’s incredible the journey we’ve been on — having the second-lowest budget. We will add new layers next season.

“It got confirmed to me over the season, the mentality of the players. Us going 12 games unbeaten in the best league in the road. We’re talking about Brentford; we’re not talking about Arsenal, Man United, Tottenham, Chelsea, City, Liverpool. Incredible group of players with an unbelievable culture that we need to protect.”

Frank confirmed his desire to stay at Brentford after the final day win over Manchester City (PA)

Centre-back Ethan Pinnock scored the game’s only goal late on, after signing a contract extension until 2027 just yesterday.

Frank said: “Still a little bit angry at him that he doesn’t score with his head, but I live if he puts it in the back of the net with his nice left foot. ‘The mountain’ is a prime example of the journey we’ve been on and some of the players we are finding.

“Coming from non-league and going all the way through, what a defender and what a player for us in the last four seasons. It’s his birthday tomorrow, so he can celebrate that well-deserved top season and he’s just signed a new contract.”

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