Arsenal are moving to sort out a transfer, with Italian journalist, Fabrizio Romano, confirming that it's all agreed
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal are to complete a permanent deal imminently, as Mikel Arteta juggles Financial Fair Play considerations.
The Gunners completed £200 million worth of transfers in the summer, with Declan Rice the headline arrival for around £105m. While Rice has been a hit, however, the summer's other three signings – Kai Havertz, David Raya and Jurrien Timber – haven't made the same impact, with the former two dividing opinion and the latter picking up a ligament injury on Matchday 1.
In the case of Raya, Arsenal had to structure the move as a loan with an option to buy, as they were sailing close to FFP limits. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano though, this will be addressed in the coming weeks.
David Raya joined Arsenal on an initial loan (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
"The Raya deal was going to be permanent at the beginning, but they had to change the structure of the deal because of Financial Fair Play," Romano told GIVEMESPORT.
"From what I've heard, it's already agreed, so I don't know when they will make it official. Brentford decided to help Arsenal with that, but it is not going to change anything. The deal will be made permanent."
Despite Arteta stating that he didn't have a No.1 goalkeeper earlier this season, Raya has started every game in the Premier League and Champions League, except for a dead rubber away to PSV and the away trip to Brentford in which he was ineligible as a loanee.
Aaron Ramsdale looks set for an exit after a tumultuous season (Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal are expected to keep hold of Ramsdale this month but should they sell the England international before June 30, any transfer fee received as part of the deal will be placed on this season's accounts to help meet financial regulations.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
