Brentford to play hardball over David Raya amid Tottenham and Chelsea interest
Brentford is prepared to play hardball against in-demand keeper David Raya amid interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur and will keep the Spaniard off his deal until the last year if their £40m valuation is not met
Brentford are willing to play hardball to get their appreciation for goalkeeper David Raya.
Despite interest from Chelsea, Tottenham remain in pole position for the £40 million goalkeeper.
As Transfer Confidential previously reported, talks have begun, but Tottenham are hoping to sign him for £20 million, with The Bees looking for double that amount.
Brentford have made it clear they will hold on to Raya until the last year of his contract if a suitable offer closer to their price tag is not forthcoming.
It means Raya could potentially leave the club next summer on a free transfer, if no club meets their rating and the Spaniard decides to leave at the end of the 2023-24 season.
David Raya could stay at Brentford for the last year of his deal if his £40m valuation is not met
Brentford is willing to lose Raya for nothing next summer (Boss Thomas Frank pictured)
Tottenham hope to sign Raya cheaply as a possible replacement for Hugo Lloris
Chelsea are also interested and Raya could replace Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy
Brentford have already signed Mark Flek so have a ready replacement and could leave Raya on the bench to make their point.
Tottenham Hotspur’s interest in Raya could coincide with Hugo Lloris’ departure from the club.
The French World Cup winner recently indicated that he wanted to take on a new challenge.
Lloris explained: “We are coming at an important time, whether for the club or for me. It’s the end of an era. I have desires for other things.’
Chelsea, meanwhile, have also been linked with a number of goalkeepers who are unsure about the future of their current options Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy.
Brentford maintains contact about Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres, but knows that the Swedish international has interest from Sporting Lisbon and Fulham.
Strasbourg’s Habib Diallo is another contender to fill the void left by Ivan Toney’s suspension.