Jaume Runell, the agent of goalkeeper David Raya, has claimed that Arsenal had been keen on signing Raya three years before his recent move to the Emirates Stadium, even when Aaron Ramsdale was already established as the number one choice.
During the summer transfer window, the football world was taken aback when Raya opted to join Arsenal, a move that initially left Ramsdale as the established first-choice goalkeeper. However, Mikel Arteta soon introduced the Spain international into the first team, leading to a shift in the goalkeeping hierarchy.
While Arteta had initially hinted at regular changes between the sticks, Ramsdale has seen limited action, making only two appearances in the EFL Cup since returning from England duty in September. In contrast, Raya has made a total of 11 appearances, showcasing his talents in both the Premier League and the Champions League, although not without scrutiny.
Runell, shedding light on Arsenal’s prolonged interest in Raya, disclosed to AFTV that the Gunners had expressed interest as far back as 2021. Despite attempting to secure Raya’s services three years ago, Brentford was adamant about not parting ways with the goalkeeper at that time.
After the acquisition of Ramsdale, Arsenal found a more feasible option, but according to Runell, Raya remained the priority. Explaining the summer transfer, Runell stated, “This summer, he had just one year left on his contract with Brentford, and Arsenal was the club that showed the most concrete interest and have always been our priority.”
He went on to reveal that Tottenham and Bayern Munich also expressed interest, with the latter making a substantial offer that included no buy option. However, Arsenal’s commitment to Raya remained steadfast, leading to the rejection of other bids.
As of now, Raya is on a season-long loan deal from Brentford, but Arsenal is expected to secure a £27m permanent transfer in 2024. Meanwhile, Ramsdale, with a contract until 2026, is already linked with a potential move to another club, prompting concerns about his international prospects.
England manager Gareth Southgate acknowledged on Thursday that Ramsdale’s chances on the international stage could be affected if he doesn’t receive regular game time.
