Arsenal have been told they “own Bayern Munich” after reports emerged of the Gunners preparing a shock bid for David Raya.

The Brentford goalkeeper was one of Bayern’s top transfer targets this summer, having been eyed as a replacement for veteran shot-stopper Manuel Neuer, 37, who is nearing the end of his career.

Yet the Bundesliga champions were unsuccessful in their pursuit of the 27-year-old Spaniard, with Fabrizio Romano claiming transfer talks broke down on Sunday morning.

Bayern reportedly offered Brentford a season-long loan deal, which was not what Raya nor the west London club wanted. And now north Londoners Arsenal, who finished second in the Premier League last season, could hijack the deal with their own approach.

The Athletic report Mikel Arteta is interested in bringing in Raya to compete with Aaron Ramsdale for the number one spot at the Emirates next season. Various reports suggest the Gunners hierarchy are now deciding whether to formalise their interest with a bid.

It comes after Arsenal missed out on the goalkeeper in 2020 as several bids were rejected. Yet a £40million offer is expected to be a sufficient sum on this occasion, with Raya’s contract with the Bees expiring next summer.

Raya’s preference to play at the Emirates over the Allianz Arena has now led fans to mock Bayern over another instance of one of their key transfer targets opting to join Arsenal instead this summer.

One Twitter user wrote: “Arsenal literally own Bayern Munich…,” while another tweeted: “Bayern is losing every transfer target to Arsenal.”

A third added: “Another player rejecting Bayern for Arsenal. When you’re big you’re big.”

Arsenal landed Declan Rice in a £105m deal earlier this month after West Ham’s asking price and Rice’s own preference to remain in London saw Bayern cool their interest. Kai Havertz was also linked with a move to the German giants until he completed his £65m transfer to Arsenal from rivals Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel was then dealt another blow when Ajax defender Jurrien Timber made his preference to play under Arteta clear, according to De Telegraaf, citing the Spaniard’s project as a major factor in his decision.

With Arsenal’s efficient transfer activity sabotaging Bayern’s plans, a potential clash between the two sides in the Champions League this season would present a tantalising spectacle. They are in Pot 2 and Pot 1 for the group stage draw, respectively.