According to Sam Dean for the Telegraph, Chelsea and Manchester United have entered the race alongside Tottenham Hotspur for highly-rated Brentford shot-stopper David Raya. The Telegraph previously reported that Spurs were closely tracking the 27-year-old, but now two other Premier League giants have registered interest in an attempt to resolve their goalkeeping conundrums.
Three-Horse Race for Brentford Star David Raya
Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in David Raya and are ready to rival Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for the Brentford goalkeeper this summer. Spain international is expected to cost £15m-£20m. @TeleFootball https://t.co/XYnP4WUSfY
— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) January 18, 2023
Why Do All Three Clubs Need Raya?
Spurs are seeking a replacement for club captain Hugo Lloris, who has been at the club for 11 years. However, as demonstrated by his calamitous error in the recent North London derby, the 36-year-old is becoming a serious liability, so goalkeeper will be an area that Antonio Conte will look to strengthen.
Read More: Tottenham Hotspur Have Held Talks in the Last 24 Hours to Sign ‘Sensational’ 23 Year Old
Manchester United may also need a man between the sticks as David de Gea is out of contract in the summer. The Red Devils have already explored the possibility of an extension, but are only willing to do so on ‘significantly reduced terms’ as stated by The Telegraph, so the Spaniard’s future remains unclear.
Chelsea are also in a difficult position as they assess the pecking order of their goalkeepers. Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga have both lacked consistency across their Blues’ careers and big-spending Todd Boehly will want to bolster his options.
Read More: Chelsea ‘Actively Exploring’ Signing of ‘Absolute Monster’ Who Is Expected to Cost £75 Million
David Raya’s current contract is due to expire in 18 months and The Telegraph confirmed that he is expected to leave this summer for a fee in the region of £15-20 million.
🚨🇪🇸 NEW: David Raya has admirers at #mufc and the expectation is that he could cost in the region of £15/£20 million. @SamJDean pic.twitter.com/ALEBZ2i8pP
— UtdPlug (@UtdPlug) January 18, 2023
A Reliable and In-Demand Keeper
David Raya was signed by the Bees back in 2019 for a bargain of £3 million from Blackburn Rovers and has been one of Brentford’s standout performers since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021.
Jurgen Klopp told The Telegraph that Raya “should have the number 10 on his back with the balls he played.”
Raya was named in Spain’s most recent World Cup squad thanks to his impressive consistency. He was a solid performer in Brentford’s debut Premier League season, where they finished 13th, and has been in imperious form again this term with Brentford currently sitting in eighth spot. He has kept six clean sheets in 19 league appearances and will be desperate to achieve a top-half finish for the Bees before he departs.
