Explained: Why Arsenal signed David Raya on initial loan instead of permanent transfer amid summer interest from Chelsea, Tottenham & Bayern Munich

The Gunners moved to bolster their shot-stopping department during the summer window when putting a deal in place with Premier League rivals Brentford for Spain international Raya. The north London outfit were able to fend off interest from Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich in order to push an agreement for 2023-24 through.

Raya’s representative, Jaume Munell, has told AFTV of why a loan was put in place: "Arsenal showed interest for the first time three years ago in 2021. They tried to buy him but Brentford didn’t want to sell him at any price. After they bought [Aaron] Ramsdale that was an easier option but David has always been the priority. 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.

"Tottenham also was interested and made an official bid but it was refused because was lower than the €40m [£35m] that Brentford wanted to sell him, also Bayern Munich was interested and had an amazing offer but with no buy option included and for this reason, we’ve not accepted it. Bayern Munich didn’t understand our refusal because they thought that Raya would have been the back-up keeper at Arsenal but as you can see it’s not like this. Also Manchester United and Chelsea made an inquiry but nothing concrete. The formula of the deal is a loan with the option to buy, Arsenal had some Financial Fair Play issues and this is the reason why they haven’t bought him with a permanent transfer."

Raya is competing with Ramsdale for minutes at Arsenal, with both men having filled starting duties and bench roles this season, and Munell says his client is at Emirates Stadium due to the presence of Mikel Arteta and Gunners goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. He added: “Arsenal is a team with a lot of quality and a lot of young players trained by a top coach Mikel Arteta, they have maximum ambition. Arsenal have a clear identity, and a clear style of play that really works, as you can see by the results. Last year they were close to winning the Premier League, I believe that this year they can win it and try to win the Champions League, it’s tough but they have the quality and the ambition to try to do it. Inaki and Arteta were key for the deal, they have been determined for the choice that we made to play for Arsenal, the club have a project and a philosophy that fit completely for David.”

Raya has become Arsenal’s go-to option between the sticks in Premier League and Champions League competition, with England international Ramsdale having to make do with Carabao Cup outings since losing his place back in September.