Total agreement: Fabrizio Romano confirms first Arsenal signing of the summer is a Brentford player
David Raya becomes Arsenal’s first summer signing and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that two more deals will be made, one of which is “already finalised”.
When Arsenal bought Spanish international Raya last summer, many raised their eyebrows. The Canaries already had Aaron Ramsdale between the posts, but manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu felt it was necessary to bring in an upgrade.
Raya ended up signing a season-long loan deal with Arsenal. He paid £3 million to Brentford, and the deal also included a £27 million purchase option.
Arteta initially floated the idea that Raya and Ramsdale would rotate depending on the opposition. However, it quickly became clear that Raya had become the undisputed number 1, with Ramsdale relegated to last place.
Of course, Ramsdale’s eventual departure is dependent on Raya being loaned out permanently. According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Raya is certain to go straight to Arsenal.
The decision on Raya was made some time ago
A trusted journalist told X: “Arsenal’s plan includes a purchase option for David Raya, which will undoubtedly be exercised, and this was decided several months ago.
“Arsenal will invest £27 million in him, which has been planned since last summer.”
Raya started the season in goal-scoring fashion but has since banished the nerves and Arteta’s play with the Ramsdale replacement is starting to pay off.
Raya saved two penalty kicks in Arsenal’s Champions League match against FC Porto on Tuesday night.
His heroics ensured Arsenal reached the NFL quarter-finals for the first time since 2010.
Two contract extensions
Furthermore, Romano confirmed that the Gunners will sign two of their most versatile defenders to new and improved contracts.
First of all, the reporter stated that the new contract of 25-year-old Takehiro Tomiyasu “is already done”.
Arsenal have not yet officially confirmed a new contract with the Japanese international, but it now seems to be only a matter of time.
Furthermore, Romano added that Ben White’s contract extension “will be finalised soon”.
White was originally brought to the club as a central midfielder, but was moved to the right wing to allow William Saliba to work with Gabriel Magalhaes.
This decision proved to be an inspired one by Arteta and his colleagues, and White has even started to show his attacking ability, especially this season. White has scored two goals and four assists in the Premier League this season.
The Sun claimed in early March that Tomiyasu would double his salary from £50,000 to £100,000 a week.
White earns £120,000 a week and will also receive a handy pay rise.
