Arsenal hope to complete a deal for Brentford goalkeeper David Raya in time for their first game of the season on Saturday.
The Gunners are paying £3million to take Raya on loan for the season and the deal has the option to be made permanent for £27m.
The Spaniard’s contract at Brentford is due to expire in a year’s time, but he will sign a new one before leaving on loan.
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Raya was due to undergo a medical at Arsenal on Thursday and the club hope to sign him before they kick off their season at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Under Premier League rules, the Gunners must register the signing before midday on Friday if Raya is to be included in the squad.
Arsenal have moved for the Brentford goalkeeper after selling Matt Turner to Nottingham Forest as part of a deal that could be worth £10m.
Turner completed his move to Forest on Wednesday and he is in line to make his debut against his old club at Emirates Stadium.
Raya’s arrival will strengthen Arsenal’s options in goal and provide competition for current No1 Aaron Ramsdale.
The England international started all of Arsenal’s Premier League games next season and has said he will relish the competition.
“Bring it on,” Ramsdale told ITV Sport when asked about Raya’s expected arrival.
“Nothing comes easy in football, but you need to move along and need to adapt as well yourself.
“I’ve done it to other people when I’ve moved to clubs, so I’m not going to be thinking that it’s never going to happen to me. If it happens, it happens. We’ll fight and we’ll make each other the best version of ourselves. That’s what the manager is telling us as well.
“I’m sure whoever plays, me, Matt [Turner], whoever comes in... the goalkeeper union, people will laugh at it but it’s a real thing. Your individual disappointment will go away and you put the team first and you put that goalkeeper first.”
