Tony Mowbray has revealed that David Raya made it clear he wanted to join Brentford once their interest came to light.

The Rovers goalkeeper has moved to West London in a deal believed to worth around £3 million, the Spaniard signing a four-year contract.

That Mowbray would allow his number one last season to move on has raised a few eyebrows among supporters but the Ewood Park boss explained that after a chat with Raya only one course of action was possible.

The money received will also be used to strengthen the squad further after the arrivals of experienced pair Bradley Johnson and Stewart Downing.

“It gives us the ability to regenerate money around our squad and strengthen areas of the pitch that we feel we need to strengthen in,” Mowbray said.

“David came to see me a few times as well and he was fully aware of the bids and the discussions we were having and it was something he wanted to do.

“In my mind once he decided that and he intimated to me that he wanted to move, he’d been here a long time, since he was a kid, it was about getting the best deal we could and moving on.

“We’ll recruit another goalie and we’ll use the money to recruit and strengthen in other areas as well.

“It’s only football. You have wheel and deal in this game and as long as at the end of the day we’re a stronger unit coming out of it and as the season starts then we’ll all be happy.”

Brentford’s interest in Raya first came to light in May with the Griffin Park club assessing their options ahead of Daniel Bentley’s likely departure.

The 25-year-old joined Bristol City at the end of June and Thomas Frank moved quickly to get the man who he sees as the ideal replacement.

“He is a very good goalkeeper and fits the profile of player that we want at Brentford,” the Bees boss said.

“On the pitch, he is a young goalkeeper who comes here after two good seasons at Blackburn Rovers.

“He can play out from the back and is happy covering the space in behind, allowing us to play with a high line.

“We are 100 per cent sure that coming here he can take his game to the highest level.

“Off the pitch, he has the character and the desire that we want to see in all players coming to Brentford.”