The agent of David Raya says that Brentford risk losing the goalkeeper on a free transfer if they do not lower his asking price.
Since leaving Blackburn Rovers for the Bees in 2019, Raya has made a total of 161 appearances in all competitions, initially helping his club earn promotion to the Premier League.
However, rather than be involved in two relegation battles, Brentford - aided by the performances of Raya - has finished in 13th and ninth-place respectively.
The aim of Thomas Frank and his squad is now secure European qualification having only narrowly missed out in 2022-23, but Brentford face doing so without Raya.
Throughout the recently-completed campaign, it was well-documented that the Spain international was ready for a new challenge and would not be penning fresh terms.
© Reuters
This has already resulted in Brentford moving to sign Freiburg stopper Mark Flekken, who kept the most clean sheets in the Bundesliga this season.
Despite being able to bring in Flekken for £11m, it has been widely alleged that Brentford are demanding £40m for Raya ahead of the summer transfer window.
A number of Premier League clubs are monitoring the situation, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea who may all be in the market for new number ones.
As it stands, though, formal offers are yet to be made, and Raya's representative Jaume Munell has put that down to Brentford's high valuation.
© Reuters
Quoted by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Twitter, Munell said: "If Brentford does not lower the price tag for David Raya this summer, we'll be ready to leave as free agent in one year."
Frank has publicly acknowledged that £40m is the asking price, while saying that he remains 'happy' with Raya staying at the club.
Nevertheless, Brentford are expected to be open to negotiating the eventual fee, particularly when they need to strengthen in attack due to the suspension of Ivan Toney until January.
Thomas Strakosha is also present at the Gtech Community Stadium, yet the Albania international is another goalkeeper who could leave Brentford in due course courtesy of a lack of playing time.
Darren Plant
