Mikel Arteta refuses to confirm Arsenal transfer stance on David Raya as £27m decision looms

Mikel Arteta has refused to confirm whether or not Arsenal plan to sign goalkeeper David Raya on a permanent basis.

Raya, 28, established himself as the Gunners' first-choice 'keeper earlier this season after dislodging Aaron Ramsdale. The Brentford loanee just saw his run of six successive clean sheets away from home come to an end in Arsenal's dramatic 3-2 win against arch rivals Tottenham last Sunday, although he did make his first howler in recent memory to give Spurs a route back into the game.

Arteta insists that the Gunners are "really happy" with Raya, who has already won the Premier League Golden Glove for this season, but he was asked on Friday if they plan to sign him permanently and his response was coy. "Those conversations are for after the season. We will review where we are," the Arsenal manager replied.

"Obviously, we are really happy with David and everything he has brought to the club and the team, there is no question about it. But, those decisions are taken by all of us at the club and we will see."

The Gunners signed Raya last August by paying a £3million loan fee and they have the option to buy him for £27m, as the 28 year old only has 12 months left on his Brentford contract. It is widely expected that Arsenal will trigger the option to make Raya's stay at the Emirates Stadium a permanent one.

"I spoke to the boss and he sent me the values of what Arsenal are about," Raya said when he signed for the Gunners last August."The way that the club is going, it's growing even more so it is a beautiful challenge to take and I couldn't say no.

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"I've seen Arsenal a lot for a lot of years and since (Arteta) came he's made a massive difference to the style of play and to the club. "The way the team plays out of the back, being confident and taking possession to the other team is the main thing why I fit into the team. I'm going to try and help as much as possible and we'll see what happens."