‘Loan with option to buy’: Fabrizio Romano confirmed 28-years-old Brentford man will be an Arsenal player SOON
Arsenal will soon confirm the permanent signing of Brentford’s David Rayo for €32 million, despite a disappointing season for the on-loan goalkeeper, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Raya joined Arsenal from Brentford as a loan goalkeeper last summer in a controversial deal.
The loan deal included an option to make the deal permanent for €32 million, but many fans believe that Arsenal should not have signed Raya permanently as he has struggled so much this season.
However, Romano has made it clear that this clause was never really an option and that Arsenal were always obliged to sign Ray as the shape of the deal was designed to get the Gunners around the rules of Financial Fair Play.
What did Romano say?
“Originally the contract with Raya was supposed to be permanent, but they had to change the structure of the contract because of the Financial Fair Play rule,” Romano told GIVEMESPORT.
“From what I have heard, it is already agreed, so I don’t know when they will officially announce it. Brentford have decided to help Arsenal with this, but it will not change anything. The contract will be permanent.”
Raya has replaced Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal’s number one in goal this season.
Ramsdale did a great job last season as the Gunners came close to winning the Premier League title.
But manager Mikel Arteta felt that Raya would improve Ramsdale, especially in his distribution and construction from the back.
However, Raya was a big disappointment as he made a series of mistakes and mostly looked nervous after replacing Ramsdale as first choice.
Raya will stay at Arsenal
Raya is now expected to sign permanently with Arsenal, which will be officially confirmed shortly.
The 28-year-old Raya has played in 15 Premier League games for Arsenal this season, scoring 16 goals and keeping five clean sheets.
He has also played five times in the Champions League, scoring three goals and keeping three clean sheets.
In recent games, Arsenal have gone three games without a win in the title race, losing to West Ham and Fulham.
