2M67TXB London, UK. 2nd Jan, 2023. David Raya of Brentford during the Premier League match at Brentford Community Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage/Alamy Live News
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has warned Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur that they will need to fork out “£40m plus” to sign goalkeeper David Raya this summer.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed another positive season in between the sticks for the Bees with 10 clean sheets from 35 Premier League appearances, playing every minute for his side and wearing the captain’s armband in November’s 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.
Thanks to Raya’s exploits, Brentford remain in with a chance of European qualification heading into the final straight of the Premier League season, occupying ninth place in the table with three games left to play.
The former Blackburn Rovers player was called up to the 2022 World Cup despite not playing a single minute in Qatar. His efforts at the Gtech Community Stadium forced his way into the Spain setup as well.
However, Brentford’s number one is under contract only until 2024, and he recently acknowledged that he had turned down two renewal offers because he yearns for Champions League or Europa League action.
Speaking to the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham United, Frank conceded that Brentford could lose Raya this summer, but he affirmed that the Bees would still demand a hefty fee, in spite of the Spaniard’s contract situation.
“There is no doubt that David (Raya) is a case where there is one year left and we will see what will happen. We’re very happy with David here,” the Bees coach said.
“Everyone knows he is a £40m-plus goalkeeper if anyone is interested and we are prepared just like in any position.
“There is a possibility he’ll leave this summer maybe, for the right price, and if that happens then of course we need to be prepared.”
Raya spent seven years at Ewood Park between 2012 and 2019 before his switch to Brentford, who paid just £2.9m to prise him away from Blackburn four years ago.
The 27-year-old earned promotion to the Premier League with Brentford in his second season and has made 158 appearances for the club in total, keeping 52 clean sheets.
Man United and Tottenham could soon part ways with their long-serving number ones David de Gea and Hugo Lloris, both of whom have come under increasing criticism for high-profile howlers.
De Gea and Lloris have each made four errors directly leading to a goal this season – more than any other Premier League player – and the former’s contract with Man United expires at the end of the season.
However, De Gea is believed to have agreed to a new deal with the Red Devils on a lower salary, although Erik ten Hag is not guaranteeing him the number one jersey moving forward.
Meanwhile, Lloris’s deal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium runs until the end of next season, but the former France international is believed to have received a triple-your-money contract offer from Saudi Arabia
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