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Brentford became the only Premier League team to complete the double over Man City this season when they toppled the champions 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium on the seasons’ final day on Sunday, and shortly after full-time, Bees boss Thomas Frank spoke openly about the possible departure of one of his star players.
Spanish goalkeeper David Daya has been linked with a move away from Brentford for months and with both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United both believed to be circling for his signature, a summer move for the stopper could well materialise.
The 27-year-old, who is cut from the modern keeper’s cloth, kept his 12th clean sheet of the season in the Bees’ narrow triumph over Man City Sunday, though his current taskmaster, Thomas Frank, admitted afterwards that Raya’s future could lie away from the club.
Thomas Frank admits Raya is for sale
In a candid post-match interview, Thomas Frank revealed that Raya was indeed available for transfer, though a hefty fee would be required to get a deal over the line.
“I think we only have one player for sale,” said Frank. “That’s the one that’s been talked about a lot, David. He costs £40million, I think I said.”
Other promising Brentford combatants, like Bryan Mbeumo and Aaron Hickey have also been linked with money-spinning moves to some of the Premier League’s bigger sides, and Frank was quick to accept that the Bees are a selling club.
“We are a selling club. I don’t think that’s a secret,” the Dane said. “But they need to be crazy high amounts for the players for anyone to leave.”
David Raya was identified by Brentford’s skilled scouts back in 2019 as a player of promise and the Spaniard was promptly signed for just £3m.
Raya has played with distinction for the Bees since and his well-rounded skill-set, including his ability to pass well with both feet, is believed to appeal to Manchester United’s Dutch boss Erik ten Hag.
Despite Ten Hag’s own current number one, David de Gea, winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove this term, the 32-year-old tends to fall short of the required standards in terms of distribution and Raya could offer more to the United team from that perspective.
What a way to end this incredible season. Beating the champions in the final day, in front of you all. Thanks for all the support you have given me and the team throughout 🐝 #bees pic.twitter.com/YX560qnpzr
— David Raya Martin (@daviidraya1) May 29, 2023
Frank is also a target for other clubs
Alongside some of his players, Thomas Frank is also believed to be on the radar of some of the division’s more-illustrious names, with Tottenham Hotspur thought to be particularly interested in acquiring the Dane’s clever tactical nous.
Having just guided Brentford to a ninth-placed finish in their second year of top flight football, Frank’s stock is high, however, the 49-year-old was quick to pour cold water on rumours linking him with a new position elsewhere.
“I’m pretty sure that everyone, including myself, is very happy here at Brentford.”
If Frank’s assertations are genuine, then he would be the latest in a lengthening line of potential coaches who have turned their nose up at the chance to fill the vacant hotseat at Tottenham.
Julian Nagelsmann, Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, Celtic’s Ange Postecoglou and Burnley’s Vincent Kompany are among those thought to have rebuffed the London club’s advances since Antonio Conte’s dismissal.
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