Transfer Centre

David Raya 'set to leave Brentford amid Chelsea, Manchester United talk'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 08 March 2023

Raya 'set to leave Brentford amid Chelsea, Man United talk'

Brentford David Raya is set to leave the Bees during this summer's transfer window, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Spanish goalkeeper David Raya is reportedly set to leave Brentford during this summer's transfer window.

The 27-year-old recently hinted that he could depart the Bees in the upcoming market, with both Chelsea and Manchester United believed to be interested in his signature.

Brentford are desperate to keep hold of the stopper, but he has rejected two separate offers from Thomas Frank's side, and his existing deal is due to expire in the summer of 2024.

"I turned down two contracts, one last year and one this January. They weren't the offers we were looking for. I can only say that," Raya told The Athletic last month.

"I have a contract here, so I'm willing to finish that, but you never know what's going to happen in the summer. Maybe the club wants to sell, maybe not. Maybe I want to stay. I want to focus on football and see what happens.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya pictured on December 30, 2022 © Reuters

"I have big ambitions. I want to play in Europe and I want to fight to win a title. I want to fight to win a European title. I trust myself to be able to play in those types of games."

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Raya is expected to leave Brentford during this summer's transfer window, with the Spaniard eyeing 'a big move'.

Romano claims that a number of clubs are tracking the goalkeeper, although it is unclear whether Chelsea and Man United are lining up bids.

David de Gea is allegedly close to signing a new deal at Man United, but there remain question marks surrounding his long-term position as the club's number one.

Brentford's David Raya celebrates after Mathias Jorgensen scored their first goal on October 24, 2021 © Reuters

Meanwhile, there are likely to be a number of goalkeeping exits at Old Trafford this summer, with Tom Heaton potentially leaving on a free transfer.

Jack Butland is also set to return to parent club Crystal Palace, and Dean Henderson could depart on a permanent basis following a loan spell at Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea are also expected to be in the market for a new stopper this summer, with head coach Graham Potter believed to be unconvinced by either Kepa Arrizabalaga or Edouard Mendy.

Raya, who has been capped on two occasions by Spain, started his professional career at Blackburn Rovers before moving to Brentford in the summer of 2019.

The stopper has made 147 appearances for the Bees in all competitions, including 25 outings during the 2022-23 campaign, keeping eight clean sheets in the process, with all of those shutouts coming in the Premier League.