Arsenal has reportedly started club-to-club negotiations to sign a “top quality” ball passer for manager Mikel Arteta, according to dependable transfer source Fabrizio Romano. Arsenal announces goalkeeper David Raya as their first summer acquisition.

The Gunners formally revealed their first acquisition of the summer window on Thursday.The Arsenal Premier League’s Ian Wright Associated After spending 2023–2024 on loan at the Emirates Stadium from Brentford, goalkeeper David Raya signed a permanent agreement with Arsenal for an estimated £27 million.

Raya replaced fellow stopper Aaron Ramsdale as Arteta’s first option. The Spaniard started 32 games in the top division and helped Arsenal win their first Premier League championship in 20 years, missing out on victory against Man City on the last day.

Speaking on the team’s official website, David Raya, the sporting director of Arsenal, says the 28-year-old is well-liked by the team and that there is still plenty more to come from him. Raya helped Arsenal surrender the fewest goals of any top-flight team the previous season.

Premier League’s lowest goal conceded total from the previous season Arsenal 29 Man City 34 Liverpool 41 Everton 51 United States/Crystal Palace 58 Regarding Raya’s permanent signing, Edu stated, “We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford.” “He was awarded the Premier League Golden Glove during his outstanding debut campaign with us. He is a well-liked member of the team, a gifted international, and an excellent professional.

All of this last season, when he was on loan to us, helped us. David’s signing is just another impressive illustration of our hiring strategy in action as we work to assemble a squad that will contend for major championships. We are thrilled that he will be a significant part of our shared journey as we know he has so much more to give. Arsenal is trying to replace Arteta at center back after Raya, and Bologna sensation Riccardo Calafiori is at the top of their list. The 22-year-old, who made an impression for Italy at Euro 2024, has just finished a fantastic club season.Arsenal-Zubimendi-Calafiori Romano first stated that Arsenal had made a long-term offer to Calafiori in an attempt to reach an agreement on conditions. However, the esteemed transfer reporter has now revealed that official club negotiations have started. According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal has started holding club-to-club negotiations for Calafiori. This week, Romano said on X that Arsenal and Bologna were now formally negotiating over the purchase of Calafiori, putting the north London team ahead of Chelsea following his approval. “After Riccardo Calafiori’s green light to move and contract, Arsenal have made direct contact with Bologna,” the journalist noted. “Club discussions have begun. Calafiori’s contract terms are up to the clubs at this time; no problems. Chelsea has not yet made a bid; Arsenal is presently ahead.”Italy-Calafiori-Euro-2024 (2) Under former manager Thiago Motta, the center back earned 30 games in Serie A and was instrumental in Bologna’s next season’s Champions League qualifying. Calafiori is a “top quality” ball passer, according to TEAMtalk football expert and scout Ben Mattinson, who also suggests that he is a strong contender to start in Arteta’s backfield.