🚨 Understand Arsenal have decided to seal David Raya deal in 2024 — it’s all guaranteed as buy option clause will be triggered for £27m.

Raya already signed potential long-term contract as #AFC player for June 2024 — all done. 🔴⚪️

Brentford accepted this structure due to FFP. pic.twitter.com/59eBNip3iK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 23, 2023

Arsenal have already decided to sign on-loan Brentford goalkeeper David Raya permanently, according to transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano.

Raya has established himself as Mikel Arteta’s preferred option over Aaron Ramsdale in goal since joining Arsenal in the summer, and it seems there is now no doubt about the club deciding to make his loan permanent.

Some Arsenal fans might not have been totally convinced by Raya just yet, but Romano’s update on X this afternoon suggests there is no doubt in Arteta’s mind about the Spanish shot-stopper.

“Understand Arsenal have decided to seal David Raya deal in 2024 — it’s all guaranteed as buy option clause will be triggered for £27m,” Romano said.

“Raya already signed potential long-term contract as AFC player for June 2024 — all done.”

He added: “Brentford accepted this structure due to FFP.”

Arsenal clearly have faith in Raya as their long-term number one, though it remains to be seen if this will end up being the right choice.

Some will feel Ramsdale was good enough to continue as Arsenal’s number one, but Raya is certainly another fine player, having really impressed during his time at Brentford.

If he can reproduce that form as an Arsenal player, then this will surely end up being smart business by the north London giants.

Raya has mostly impressed for Arsenal, but he’s also had one or two unconvincing moments, so it will be interesting to see how this decision looks in a few months’ time.

Aaron Ramsdale: Arsenal goalkeeper set to start against Brentford with David Raya ineligible for Premier League game

David Raya cannot play for Arsenal versus parent club Brentford on Saturday night, meaning Aaron Ramsdale is in line for a first Premier League outing since September 3

Ramsdale has only played twice for Arsenal since his last Premier League outing on September 3, a 3-2 win over Manchester United – both have come in the Carabao Cup.

One of those games was, coincidentally, an away trip to Brentford, with Ramsdale impressing with a string of saves in a 1-0 win.

The other game saw the England international concede three in the Carabao Cup fourth round loss at West Ham on November 1.

Estonian goalkeeper Karl Hein, who has only featured in one competitive game for Arsenal, is the only other first-team goalkeeper available to Arteta.