Raya speculation intensifies as Brentford hunt new keeper

The Spaniard was linked with the Bees in May as they weighed up their options between the sticks with Daniel Bentley’s departure from Griffin Park always looking likely this summer as he entered the final 12 months of his contract.

The 25-year-old will officially join Bristol City today, after it was announced on Saturday that he had signed a four-year deal to  move to Lee Johnson’s Robins. Now all eyes are on Brentford’s next move with reports in the national press suggesting that their interest in Raya has not cooled, although they do have other options.

Goalkeeping reinforcements have always been on the agenda for Tony Mowbray and should the 23-year-old depart, strengthening that department would move to the top of his agenda in a transfer window where the Rovers boss is looking to strengthen the spine of his team in order to improve on 15th in the Championship last season.

Raya, currently with the Rovers squad on their training camp in Austria, made 46 appearances in all competitions last season but was left out of the final four games of the season.

Jayson Leutwiler was given a brief run in the side with the club then deciding to take up the 12-month option in his contract to extend his Ewood Park stay.

Raya has two years remaining on his contract and would start next season as Rovers’ No.1.

Mowbray has however made no secret of his desire to add more competition among his keepers.

There are plenty of decisions to make in that department ahead of the new season.

Andrew Fisher, third choice for the past couple of seasons, could be loaned out again having spent time in the National League North with FC United of Manchester.

Elsewhere, former Leeds shot-stopper Joshua Rae is among the options being considered for Damien Johnson’s Unders-23s next season.

Rae, aged 18, is formerly of Celtic and Aberdeen, prior to joining Leeds in 2017 and is training with Rovers in a bid to earn a contract.