No rumours around him to us that I have seen recently, but more of me putting 2 and 2 together and likely getting 43.

Anyways Fabrizio has said our priority is to sign a competitor to Kepa and not spend "crazy money" on that keeper, ruling out Onana (rumoured price tag of 60mill) and Mike Maigian (rumoured price tag of 85mill)

Now while Fabrizio has not commented on Diogo Costs being linked to us he would not be competition to Kepa he would well and truly knock him in to the back up role.

So this is where I come to David Raya. We apparently want someone with experience but who is also young. At 27 Raya is young for a keeper, and also experienced in the PL.

His price tag is also not up there with those other 3, apparently at 40mill though I imagine we could get it down to the mid to high thirties.

So my guess is we bring in Raya as Kepas competitor. Let's see if anything comes of this hunch.

44 minutes ago, axman2526 said:

No rumours around him to us that I have seen recently, but more of me putting 2 and 2 together and likely getting 43.

Anyways Fabrizio has said our priority is to sign a competitor to Kepa and not spend "crazy money" on that keeper, ruling out Onana (rumoured price tag of 60mill) and Mike Maigian (rumoured price tag of 85mill)

Now while Fabrizio has not commented on Diogo Costs being linked to us he would not be competition to Kepa he would well and truly knock him in to the back up role.

So this is where I come to David Raya. We apparently want someone with experience but who is also young. At 27 Raya is young for a keeper, and also experienced in the PL.

His price tag is also not up there with those other 3, apparently at 40mill though I imagine we could get it down to the mid to high thirties.

So my guess is we bring in Raya as Kepas competitor. Let's see if anything comes of this hunch.

I also think this may be a valid option and have thought for a while. Only thing is Brentford are playing hard ball over his fee. They say they are happy to go with three keepers next season if no one matches their asking fee. Seems they are not bluffing as well, hence why Spurs backed out. But for me I wouldn't pay more than £30m for him. Contract runs out next season. Brentford generally speaking are a selling club too and can they afford to lose out on £30m or so rather than a free if clubs refuse to pay their asking fee till the end of the transfer window. They effectively have already brought Raya's replacement and I am sure he has joined Brentford on the basis he plays which again I think gives other teams more bargaining power.

Very good keeper though.

I have thought the same about Robert Sanchez who clearly is looking for a way out at Brighton.

Mentioned this before, but really surprised we are not going for Raya. He is not the biggest bit has excellent commandment of his box and is technically brilliant. His stats last season were brilliant.

4 minutes ago, STATS said:

Mentioned this before, but really surprised we are not going for Raya. He is not the biggest bit has excellent commandment of his box and is technically brilliant. His stats last season were brilliant.

Agreed, would be a big improvement for us imo.

On 30/07/2023 at 20:59, STATS said:

Mentioned this before, but really surprised we are not going for Raya. He is not the biggest bit has excellent commandment of his box and is technically brilliant. His stats last season were brilliant.

I do have a soft spot for Sanchez and do want him to exceed but the club made a blunder not taking on Raya. He was at a bargain price and for is the ultimate keeper. Called it then and he arguably is one of the best keepers in the league. He started of dodgy for Arsenal but he is class. Sanchez just doesn't have the ball playing qualities. Raya would suit Maresca's style instantly. 

Didn't know he was up for a move? Surprised he is, if so.

We definitely need a keeper that's good with his feet when passing out from the back. Tbh, I don't watch many other teams so no idea how he's doing at the gooners.

23 minutes ago, Simplymo said:

Didn't know he was up for a move? Surprised he is, if so.

We definitely need a keeper that's good with his feet when passing out from the back. Tbh, I don't watch many other teams so no idea how he's doing at the gooners.

I meant before he joined Arsenal. It looked like he was going Spurs first but Brentford were playing hardball, so Spurs went and bought Vicario. Arsenal then surprisingly at the time went for Raya and I say surprisingly because most people were confused as Ramsdale at the time was considered a very good keeper and not sure what the need for another keeper to come in, however over time you can see the difference between Raya and Ramsdale. But yeah, tbh he has been brilliant for Arsenal and even this season has saved them quite a few times.

5 minutes ago, STATS said:

I meant before he joined Arsenal. It looked like he was going Spurs first but Brentford were playing hardball, so Spurs went and bought Vicario. Arsenal then surprisingly at the time went for Raya and I say surprisingly because most people were confused as Ramsdale at the time was considered a very good keeper and not sure what the need for another keeper to come in, however over time you can see the difference between Raya and Ramsdale. But yeah, tbh he has been brilliant for Arsenal and even this season has saved them quite a few times.

Yes I remember that whole ramsdale thing now. Didn't they say raya was worse than him but ramsdale always has a mistake in him. 

Tbh...I'm worried because we have the youth keepers and the ones we currently have on the books, replacing sanchez won't be high on the list. I honestly think we are a gk and maybe a mature cb away from competing properly at the top next season. Unless sanchez becomes 100 times better before next season.

Amusingly, Raya is demonstrably worse than Sanchez this season, in all metrics, including passing !

On 29/06/2023 at 05:47, WhiteWall said:

I have thought the same about Robert Sanchez who clearly is looking for a way out at Brighton.

Ouch. What was I thinking!!

As a commanding presence and decent shot stopper I kind of still stand by this but as a ball player sheesh!