Former England star wants Chelsea to consider move for £40m Arsenal target

Former England striker Darren Bent has called on Brentford goalkeeper David Raya to snub a move to Arsenal and focus his attention elsewhere.

The Gunners are reportedly keen to complete a move for the Spanish stopper as they look to provide competition for regular number one Aaron Ramsdale. Brentford are believed to be looking for a fee of around £40million before they will consider allowing Raya to leave and talks are ongoing between the two clubs.

There have been reports suggesting Raya has agreed personal terms with Arsenal - but Bent has insisted the 27-year-old should ignore the advances from the Gunners and believes a London rival would be a more suitable destination if he wanted regular first-team football.

He told talkSPORT: “David Raya is better than Kepa Arrizabalaga - so why would Chelsea not go for him?

“And why would David Raya not think, “Hold on, why am I going to Arsenal to play behind Aaron Ramsdale? Why don’t I go to Chelsea and be their number one? There’s something not quite right with Arsenal’s deal for David Raya. If I was Chelsea, I would be trying to get him.’

Serie A giants eye Gunners defender

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu is currently working his way back towards full fitness after knee surgery ruled him out of the last two months of last season.

But the Japan international could find his next appearance comes in Serie A, rather than the red of Arsenal, if reports in Italy are to be believed. Gazzetta dello Sport have reported Tomiyasu is a loan target for Inter Milan as the beaten Champions League finalists look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season.

However, there will be work to do on the deal as the report suggests the Gunners will only sanction a permanent deal for the versatile defender.