Journalist Graeme Bailey has admitted that he is shocked Tottenham Hotspur did not push harder to sign David Raya, who is now joining their North London rivals, Arsenal.
It was widely reported at the start of the summer that Raya was Tottenham’s top target to replace Hugo Lloris, with the Lilywhites even alleged to have agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old (The Times).
(Photo by Aitor Alcalde – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
However, it emerged midway into June that Spurs were set to turn their attention to other alternatives as Brentford were unwilling to drop their asking price of £40m for their number one, even though he had just a year left on his contract (90 min).
Spurs then quickly managed to wrap up a deal worth £16.4m with Empoli for Guglielmo Vicario, who will take over the gloves from Lloris.
It was even asserted by Fabrizio Romano on The Debrief Podcast a couple of weeks ago that Raya was ‘excited’ about the possibility of moving to Tottenham before the deal eventually fell through.
Spurs could come to regret missing out on David Raya
The Spaniard is now on his way to Arsenal, with the Gunners said to have agreed a deal to sign the goalkeeper on loan with a £27m buy option after he signed a one-year contract extension with Brentford (Goal).
Bailey believes that Spurs will regret not getting a deal for Raya over the line this summer.
The journalist said on Talking Transfers Podcast: “He’s (Raya) taken the chance (to join Arsenal). He believes he will be able to usurp Aaron Ramsdale. I don’t think he will. I’m slightly surprised.
“I’m still amazed that Tottenham didn’t push that one over the line, one they might live to regret I think.”
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The swiftness with which Spurs moved for Vicario suggests that the Italian goalkeeper was on the club’s radar for a while.
I suspect that Tottenham pushed ahead with a move for the 26-year-old as they feared that Inter would pursue him once Andre Onana departed the San Siro.
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