Tottenham ‘on the verge’ of agreeing terms with Prem goalkeeper, but Levy hindered by one obstacle

Ciaran McCarthy
David Raya, Brentford, May 2023

Fabrizio Romano has stated Tottenham are ‘on the verge of reaching an agreement with David Raya on personal terms’ but they deem the £40million Brentford asking price too high.

Raya has been one of the better goalkeepers in the Premier League over the past few seasons. Indeed, 12 clean sheets in the league this season helped his Bees side to a ninth-placed finish.

It followed a season in which the goalkeeper kept eight clean sheets in the league. Raya is clearly aware of his own qualities, having admitted to turning down a couple of offers from his current side, likely aware he could get a better gig elsewhere.

That prompted Bees boss Thomas Frank to confirm at the end of the season the goalkeeper is the “one player” at the club that is up for sale, and he stated he would cost £40million.

It seems that’s going to prove an obstacle for his future endeavours, though. Indeed, interested sides Manchester United and Tottenham reportedly both feel that fee is too high.

Transfer insider Romano has reinforced that Spurs feel that way. However, it will be crucial for the side to come to an agreement with Brentford over the goalkeeper.

That’s because talks regarding personal terms as part of a move to the north London side are progressing well. Indeed, Romano has stated Tottenham are ‘on the verge of reaching an agreement’ with Raya over personal terms.

He also states ‘club to club talks will be crucial’. Indeed, the move will surely live and die with those talks – it won’t matter how much Raya wants to join Spurs if Brentford refuse to sell him for the fee they would be willing to pay.

While Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is famed for his attempting to barter with selling sides, that United are also unwilling to pay that sum shows Brentford might not have many suitors.

However, they’ve made it clear they’ll not sell him this summer if they don’t receive an acceptable offer. That Raya’s contract is up next summer has no bearing, as they’d be willing to let him walk away for free then rather than sell him for below what they feel he’s worth.

There seems to be sounds reasoning for that. Raya has been one of their most important players over the past couple of seasons, and they’d prefer to have him impacting the side than have a bit of money, though less than what they feel they should be getting.

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