Agent says Manchester United looked at signing Prem ace before his £30m move

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Manchester United ‘made an inquiry’ for former Brentford goalkeeper David Raya before the Spain international joined Premier League rivals Arsenal for a deal which will eventually reach £30 million.

You can add David Raya, then, to the growing list of goalkeepers who found themselves under consideration by Erik ten Hag and co over the summer.

The likes of Zion Suzuki, now at Sint Truiden, and Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow have already confirmed that they held talks with Manchester United. Ditto Matheus of Braga and Odysseas Vlachodimos, now at Nottingham Forest after moving to England from Benfica.

David Raya was another the Red Devils looked at, even if that initial interest went no further once Andre Onana emerged as Ten Hag’s number one choice to replace the departed David de Gea.

Manchester United looked at Arsenal’s David Raya

“Manchester United and Chelsea made an inquiry,” Raya’s agent, Jaume Munell, tells AFTV. “But nothing concrete.”

According to Sky Sports, United had reservations about stumping up such a fee for a man who’s Brentford contract was due to expire in the summer of 2024. Arsenal eventually reached an agreement, paying £3 million up front for an initial loan deal with a £27 million obligation-to-buy clause included.

Raya has since established himself as Mikel Arteta’s go-to shot-stopper, dislodging Aaron Ramsdale from between the sticks at the Emirates Stadium.

Andre Onana in form at last

“He’s a really ambitious guy,” Munell adds. “Every season he sets big goals trying to achieve it, season per season. This year the goal was to play the Champions League and with Spain. His goal now is to play well at Arsenal and to consolidate as one of the best keepers of the league and to be the starter of Spain.

“David’s dream was to play in one of the big six clubs in the Premier League. Now, he wants to win the Champions League and the World Cup.”

Onana, meanwhile, is finally showing his worth to United after an error-ridden start to life at Old Trafford, while Raya struggles to convince at Arsenal.