According to the BBC’s Sami Mokbel, Arsenal are set to agree new terms with David Raya as a reward for the goalkeeper’s impressive form since joining the club.
A pay rise was negotiated during the summer, but not yet made official – and much like Leandro Trossard’s improved salary, which was reported back in August, the new deal does not include an extension in terms of time.
Raya’s current deal runs until 2028, and while there is thought to be an option to extend should the club decide to do so.
On the surface, it may appear strange to increase salary without adding more years to the contract, but it’s likely an ongoing process to equalise wage levels after a series of contract extensions.
Senior players like William Saliba and Gabriel have put pen to paper, keeping them in the top bracket of Arsenal earners, but 18 year olds Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri received substantial increases to their salaries after making their breakthroughs last season.
Both Raya and Trossard signed from clubs where salaries are not at the level of a title contending club, and as such their seniority and consistent contributions require adjustment when the base level – particularly among some of our younger players – continues to rise.
Since his arrival, Raya has made 105 appearances in all competitions, keeping 45 clean sheets, as well as winning the Golden Glove award in the Premier League twice (shared last season with Nottingham Forest’s Mats Sels).
