Brentford have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg which further hints at a summer departure for David Raya. Tottenham and Chelsea are in the transfer race to sign the Spaniard after he has hinted strongly at his want to leave the club by rejecting several contract advances.
Raya significantly helped Brentford achieve a ninth-placed finish in the 2022/23 Premier League table which included a final day clean sheet against champions Manchester City. With Raya rejecting two new deals, Bees boss Thomas Frank has already conceded that his shot-stopper may leave for at least £40 million.
"There is no doubt David is a case where there is one year left and we will see what will happen," said the Brentford boss. "We are very happy with David here, everybody knows he is a £40million-plus goalkeeper if anyone is interested.
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"There is a possibility he will maybe leave this summer for the right price. If that happens we need to be prepared like we are at left-back, right-back, striker." With his contract expiring in 2024, an immediate departure is likely as Brentford will want to receive a substantial fee, and his Futbol21Pro agent Jaume Munell has made their stance perfectly clear
As quoted by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, he said: “If Brentford does not lower the price tag for David Raya this summer, we’ll be ready to leave as free agent in one year."
Both Tottenham and Chelsea are looking for a new goalkeeper this summer with the futures of Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga at Stamford Bridge and Hugo Lloris at Spurs, hanging in the balance. football.london reported in February that Spurs have scoured the market to create a lengthy shortlist of options to succeed Lloris, while Chelsea have already began making some early proposals.
On Spurs' list is Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili, Brentford's Raya, Brighton's Robert Sanchez and AC Milan's Mike Maignan. Chelsea meanwhile, are focusing their efforts on Raya, Andre Onana and Emiliano Martinez, according to The Guardian.
With both London clubs after Raya, a bidding war could take place if they each determine he is their main target which could further drive up his price.
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