DONE DEAL ✅: Arsenal complete their second signing of the summer, agreement has been in place since last summer and now is a done deal – Medical completed – announcement today

Arsenal has officially announced the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford, marking their second acquisition of the summer transfer window. The deal, worth £27 million, activates the purchase option in Raya’s loan agreement, cementing his place in the Arsenal squad.

Upon finalizing the deal, Raya expressed his excitement to Arsenal.com, saying, “After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years. I’m excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present. It’s a dream come true to be here, and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year.”

Sporting Director Edu shared his enthusiasm: “We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford. He had a fantastic first season with us, winning the Premier League Golden Glove. He is a talented international, a great professional, and a popular figure at the club. We benefited greatly from his contributions last season during his loan with us. David’s signing is another strong example of our recruitment strategy in action, as we continue to build a team that will challenge for major trophies. We know there’s so much more to come from him, and we are excited that he will continue to be a big part of the journey we are all on.”

Manager Mikel Arteta added: “David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player. He is a big presence in our dressing room, and we are really pleased to keep working with him. We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, enjoying more success with us. We have a very talented group of goalkeepers, and I love to see connections like the one I see in our goalkeeping unit.”

The decision to make Raya’s move permanent had reportedly been made long ago, with the timing dictated by Brentford’s financial year-end on June 30th. This allows both clubs to include the transfer in their new financial accounts, benefiting both parties. For Arsenal, delaying the purchase until the new financial year helps them navigate the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, which they narrowly adhered to in the 2023/24 season. Brentford, on the other hand, benefits from the revenue in the current financial period.

Despite the financial complexities, Raya’s on-field performance cemented his position as a key player for Arsenal. The goalkeeper achieved 20 clean sheets and earned the Premier League Golden Glove award during his loan spell, significantly contributing to Arsenal’s title challenge.