Arsenal sent David Raya transfer message as Thomas Frank name-drops Rice

Thomas Frank has made it clear Arsenal must match the £40million valuation they have set for David Raya if they wish to sign the Spaniard this summer. The Gunners have surprisingly reignited their interest in the shot-stopper, who they previously tried to sign back in 2020, as they seek to add extra competition for Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks.

Bayern Munich are also keen on the 27-year-old, therefore Brentford are unlikely to crack in transfer negotiations as they know the player is not currently short of options.

Now Frank has reaffirmed that Brentford believe their £40m price tag is fair – particularly given Arsenal just paid £105m for Declan Rice, who also had one year left on his contract (which also contained the option for an additional 12 months).

Frank said: “He’s worth £40m. He was one of the four best keepers in the PL last season. What is the fair price for a player with one year left? Declan Rice went to Arsenal for £105m? And Harry Kane, they’re talking about £150m?”

The Dane has already landed a replacement for Raya in the form of Freiburg’s Mark Flekken meaning even if the Spaniard stays, he is unlikely to receive minutes in west London this season.

Raya is believed to favour a move to Arsenal over joining Bayern Munich, who are also trying to reduce Brentford’s asking price.

Arsenal are expected to make an offer to test the water but they’re not currently prepared to pay a huge fee for the ex-Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper.

The Gunners are not thought to be looking at other goalkeeper targets at this moment in time, although that could change in the coming weeks depending on how strongly they wish to strengthen their pack.

Sales will prove crucial to spending power as Arsenal have already spent £208m on three arrivals in Rice, Jurrien Timber and Kai Havertz this summer.

Ramsdale remains a key part of Arsenal’s future and recently signed a new long-term deal back in May at the Emirates Stadium.

Speaking in April following a heroic performance against Liverpool, Mikel Arteta paid tribute to the player’s mentality and resilience.

“He has been really, really good and probably against the odds,” Arteta said.

“Because when you look at his past and where he was coming from, he got relegated twice, it was difficult to imagine it. But we saw he had that character, charisma and personality to play for our club and he had the potential qualities to feed into our way of playing. When you see the development he had in the past two seasons I think he is exceptional.”

Now Ramsdale could be gearing up for yet another challenge as he faces the prospect of additional competition at the Emirates Stadium.

Despite his love for Brentford, Raya recently explained the reasons behind his desire to try something new in an interview with The Times as he waits to see if a move to Arsenal will materialise.

“I will always feel close to this team. Being part of the promotion to the Premier League is something I will never forget,” he says.

“I know there are rumours about me leaving. There are some options for me to go but obviously Brentford are asking for a lot of money. That could make clubs not want to buy me, it could make them look somewhere else. But if that’s the value they give me then it’s up to them. I have a year left on my contract and until then I’m a Brentford player, there’s nothing I can do.

“I have ambitions to make the next step in my career. I want to try to win titles and to compete in Europe in the next couple of years. I’m 27 now and I feel like I’m at the point in my career when I want to make that step up. There are options out there but it’s not just my ambitions, the club also needs to let me go.”