Brentford goalkeeper David Raya has reiterated his desire to leave the Gtech Community Stadium this summer amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
The 27-year-old was a standout performer for Thomas Frank’s side last season as they narrowly missed out on a place in Europe after finishing ninth in the Premier League.
The Bees have been reluctant to let Raya leave despite strong interest from suitors, but they have been informed that the goalkeeper intends to take the next step in his career.
However, Brentford are unwilling to let him leave for cheap. They have slapped a whopping £40 million price tag on the Spain international, who has just one year left on his current deal.
Raya could choose to wind down his contract and leave as a free agent next summer, but he feels Brentford are trying to price him out of a transfer.
He has asked the club to allow him to realise his ambitions to play for one of the big clubs in the country.
“I will always feel close to this team,” Raya told The Times. “Being part of the promotion to the Premier League is something I will never forget.
“I know there are rumours about me leaving. There are some options for me to go, but obviously Brentford are asking for a lot of money. That could make clubs not want to buy me. It could make them look somewhere else.
“But if that’s the value they give me, then it’s up to them. I have a year left on my contract, and until then, I’m a Brentford player – there’s nothing I can do.
“I have ambitions to make the next step in my career. I want to try to win titles and compete in Europe in the next couple of years. I’m 27 now, and I feel like I’m at the point in my career when I want to make that step up.
“There are options out there, but it’s not just my ambitions – the club also needs to let me go.”
Tottenham and Man United are strongly interested in the former Blackburn Rovers man.
Spurs are reportedly close to agreeing personal terms with the player but are unwilling to match Brentford’s asking price.
Serie A giants Inter Milan have also inquired into Raya’s availability as they look to replace Andre Onana, who is attracting interest from Man United and Chelsea.
