Don't Miss

Arsenal willing to sign Espanyol star Joan Garcia

By Ritayan Chatterjee on June 27, 2024

Arsenal are reportedly planning to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, as per the Spanish journalist Gerard Romero.

The Gunners are reportedly keen on strengthening several areas of the squad ahead of next season and have seemingly started working on deals to purchase their targets as they have been linked with a few names in recent times.

However, the goalkeeping position is an area that needs resolving for Mikel Arteta’s side this summer. After signing David Raya from Brentford last summer, the Spaniard has been the first-choice option for Arteta.

So, it doesn’t look likely that Aaron Ramsdale will play as a second fiddle to Raya next season, therefore, it is highly likely that the Englishman will be hoping to leave the club to play regularly next season.

A few names have been mentioned as potential targets for the Gunners to replace Ramsdale with Andriy Lunin and Alvaro Valles being among them, but it seems Garcia is on their radar as well.

Garcia to Arsenal

Romero has recently reported(via Mundo Deportivo) that Arsenal are interested in signing the Espanyol goalkeeper and they could manage to secure his signature soon.

The Spanish outlet states that the 23-year-old reportedly has a £21m release clause in his current contract so Garcia could be a ‘gift’ for Arsenal due to his low valuation. However, signing the Spaniard won’t be easy as Real Madrid are also keen on purchasing him.

The youngster has been selected to play for Spain in the Olympics so he won’t be available for the full pre-season and at the start of next season so that could complicate the deal for Arsenal.

Garcia, standing at 6ft 3in tall, started as a second-choice option for Espanyol last season but he managed to break into the starting eleven following the turn of the new year.

He was one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga 2 last season and played a key role for his team to help them promote to the Spanish top-flight, keeping eight clean-sheets with an 83% saving-rate in 14 league starts.

So, he could be a shrewd signing for Arsenal to replace Ramsdale if they purchase him. However, the reported £21m fee is a lot for a second-choice goalkeeper, therefore Arteta’s side would be hoping to get this deal done for a lower fee.