Manchester United target fuels speculation by refusing contact extension

Manchester United transfer target David Raya is set to leave his current club Brentford after rejecting a contract extension to remain at the club. 

The Spanish goalkeeper, whose current deal runs out in July 2024, has been touted as a possible replacement for Manchester United’s current number-one and the Brentford man has decided that he will not be renewing the contract, meaning that the Bees have to sell him in the summer transfer window or risk losing him for free when he leaves. 

Raya joined Brentford in 2019 from Blackburn Rovers for a fee believed to be around £3 million and could fetch the club a handsome profit if the club decide to entertain offers in the summer with the Red Devils considered major admirers of the 27-year-old. 

Raya has impressed with Brentford since his arrival at the club, showing excellent shot-stopping abilities, as well as being adept with his feet, which is thought to be the main reason why Manchester United have maintained an interest in him. 

Raya’s ball-playing ability is a considerable step up from what Manchester United currently have with David De Gea, whose current deal runs out this summer and who is also yet to sign an extension with the club. 

Should the Red Devils lose De Gea to a free transfer, they will be tempted to go for Raya as a direct replacement, and the Brentford man refusing a new contract means that they might not have to pay over the odds to get him. 

Currently, Brentford have set an asking price of €40m, but that fee could drop in the summer transfer window when clubs start to ask seriously for Raya’s signature. 

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has blamed the hectic scheduling of the Premier League for the injury suffered by star forward Marcus Rashford in their 2-0 win over Everton. 

He had already complained about the congested schedule ahead of the fixture, saying that the league needed to protect its players if they expect entertaining football.