By Fraser Fletcher, Transfer Correspondent

13th Feb, 2023 | 6:00pm

Sources: Chelsea make contact over £40m David Raya signing

Chelsea have made contact with David Raya about a potential £40million move from Brentford in summer, sources have told Football Insider.

The Blues have shortlisted the 27-year-old as they look to recruit a top-class goalkeeper this summer and have now made contact with his representatives.

Sources say that the Chelsea recruitment team believe he is at the level of long-established United number one David de Gea.

Raya’s Brentford contract expires in 2024 and he is set to be the subject of widespread transfer interest from Premier League clubs in the summer.

The west Londoners are hopeful of securing a £40m fee for their number one if he goes even though his contract enters its last 12 months in July.

Senior Chelsea duo Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy are both contracted at the club until 2025 but they are believed to be keen on an upgraded option capable of slotting straight into the first team.

Arrizabalaga has returned to number one status at Chelsea after being replaced by Mendy under Thomas Tuchel and has started every league game since October.

Intriguingly, Raya has gone public to reveal he has already rejected two attempts by the Bees to secure him to a longer-term deal.

As quoted by Sky Sports (10 February), Raya said he doesn’t feel it is the right time to sign a new contract.

Raya has started 22 of Brentford’s 23 Premier League matches, conceding just 29 goals and keeping eight clean sheets.

He has delivered multiple top-level performances in big games, including in the win over Liverpool at the start of January.

In other news, Chelsea to sell £170,000-a-week star after deal collapses.