Arsenal are exploring a deal to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.
The north London side want to recruit the Spain international to compete alongside current No 1 Aaron Ramsdale for a starting place.
Brentford have yet to receive an offer from Arsenal — or any other team — but are aware of their interest.
Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich are also pursuing Raya, with their preference being a loan. Brentford would only consider that if he agrees to extend a contract that is due to expire next summer.
The 27-year-old is understood to favour a move to long-term admirers Arsenal, where he would be reunited with former Brentford goalkeeper coach Inaki Cana.
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Raya featured in all of Brentford’s 38 matches in the Premier League last season as his side finished with the fifth-best defensive record in the top flight, conceding only 46 goals.
Arsenal’s existing alternative goalkeeper, Matt Turner, is being considered by Nottingham Forest as one of two planned goalkeeping additions.
Although there is distance between the clubs’ valuations of the 29-year-old United States international and no guarantee a move will happen, Arsenal know Forest are looking at Turner and dialogue continues.
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Is he ready to step up?
Analysis by Brentford correspondent Jay Harris
Ball-playing ability has become an important part of a modern goalkeeper’s skill set and Raya has proven he is one of the Premier League’s leading exponents. As a youngster, he would spend hours playing futsal with his older brother on a pitch next to their house, which helps to explain his natural ability with the ball at his feet.
Under Thomas Frank last season, he does play the ball short to his centre-backs often but he also excels at chipping it over the opposition’s midfield too. One of the main benefits of Raya’s superb passing range is it allows Brentford to diversify their attacks and be unpredictable.
He has also shown he is a solid shot-stopper. The three things you want from a goalkeeper are good distribution, good shot-stopping and good consistency. Whether or not Raya has the experience to handle the higher-profile stage if he moves to a bigger club is another story.
(Photo: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
