Tottenham are in talks to sign Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in the hope of beating Manchester United to his signature.
Raya, 27, is set to become new Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou's first signing after being appointed last week following a lengthy search to find a permanent successor to Antonio Conte. The Spain international had been linked with a move to United, who are keen to bring in competition for compatriot David de Gea.
Manager Erik ten Hag wants a goalkeeper who is comfortable on the ball and can get involved in build-up play. Raya is exactly that, having impressed over four years at Brentford after coming through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers.
Postecoglou, who arrives from Celtic with a reputation for playing an attractive brand of football, is searching to find a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris, with the Tottenham captain expected to leave North London this summer after 11 seasons as No.1. Spurs have turned to Raya and talks over personal terms have been progressing well, according to the Evening Standard.
United and Premier League rivals Chelsea are monitoring the situation, with Brentford sticking to their £40million price tag. Given that the Spaniard only has one year remaining on his contract, however, Tottenham are currently unwilling to bend to the Bees' demands.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has already signed a new goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window opening this Wednesday, recruiting Freiburg's Dutch shot-stopper, Mark Flekken, in an £11m deal. Raya had rejected two new contract offers from the Bees hierarchy, who accept that selling him this summer would be the best financial option.
"I want to play in Europe and I want to fight to win a title," the 27-year-old told The Athletic in February. "I want to fight to win a European title. I trust myself to be able to play in those types of games."
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Meanwhile, the currently injured Lloris has confirmed that he's open to an exit, telling French newspaper Nice-Matin: "We are coming to an important moment, whether for the club or for me. It's the end of an era. I have desires for other things, I will ask myself quietly to study what will be possible.
“But I don't forget that I still have a year of contract with Tottenham and that in football it is always difficult to predict what will happen. What is essential at the moment is to recover well from my injury. I'm on vacation but I continue to talk and do my training. My goal is to be on top in July, then we’ll see what the future holds."
