Arsenal submit opening bid for Premier League goalkeeper

Arsenal will be hoping to get the better of Manchester City when the two sides meet in the Community Shield on Sunday. 

The season curtain-raiser is usually played between the winners of the Premier League and FA Cup but, after City won both competitions last season, Arsenal are their opponents having finished second.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping that his side can go one better this term, with the Spaniard having been backed in the transfer market this summer.

The Gunners have signed Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Jurrien Timber for a combined fee of more than £200 million, but it appears that Arsenal could now be closing in on a fourth summer signing.

According to 90min, the North London outfit have launched their opening offer for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

The report claims that the Gunners have submitted an offer consisting of an initial £20 million, plus an additional £5 million.

Raya is a target for Arsenal this summer

Raya, 27, has established himself as one of the best ‘keepers in the Premier League in recent seasons but his performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

German champions Bayern Munich are also said to be interested in the Spaniard, while Brentford have decided that they will sell the player as he has less than one year remaining on his current contract and has shown no intention of signing an extension.

Despite this, the West London club are said to be standing firm on their £40 million valuation of the player.

Raya joined the Bees from Championship side Blackburn Rovers back in 2019 and has since made more than 160 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Last term he played in all 38 of Brentford’s Premier League games and was instrumental in helping Thomas Frank’s side to a ninth-placed finish in the table.

Arsenal’s interest in Raya may come as a surprise to some, with current first choice Aaron Ramsdale having impressed last term.

The England international was in fine form last season and helped Arteta’s side to finish second, but it appears that the Spaniard is keen to recruit a new ‘keeper to provide competition.