Chelsea in three horse race for Spanish shot-stopper with fast expiring contract

Chelsea join Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit of David Raya

According to the Guardian, Chelsea, along with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have revealed an interest in signing Brentford goalkeeper David Raya.

Raya, who was part of the Spanish World Cup but did not play, will enter the final year of his contract with Brentford in the summer (Transfermarkt). So, if he does not agree on an extension before the start of next season, there is a chance that the Bees would have to sell him at a lower price.

Spurs need Raya as they are now looking for a long-term replacement for the former French captain Hugo Lloris. The 2018 World Cup winner has been in dire form this season.

United, on the other hand, have not secured the future of David de Gea yet and his contract expires in the coming summer (Transfermarkt). So, they would also be looking at a new goalkeeper before next season.

In the past, Arsenal have shown interest in the 27-year-old but had multiple bids of around £10m rejected by Brentford. Eventually, the current league leaders moved on to look for other options.

For Chelsea, they have a goalkeeping conundrum as well. Edouard Mendy has not signed a new deal offered to him because he felt the offer was disrespectful to him. Kepa Arrizabalaga, whose form before the World Cup was good, has gone back to his shaky days.

So, all three clubs in the race have their reasons to sign Raya. The Bees stopper has been excellent for them since arriving from Blackburn Rovers in the summer of 2019. Last season, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said that he could have a number 10 printed behind his shirt, such is the quality of his distribution. He is very good at shot-stopping too.

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• Sergei Palkin reveals why Mykhailo Mudryk chose Chelsea over Arsenal

We have spent a lot of money on buying defenders and attackers in the last six or so months. It is time to invest in a new goalkeeper in the summer. Raya can be a long-term solution for that position. Beating United and Spurs would be a challenge though. Let’s hope we come out on top in that race.