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Arsenal launch bid to sign Espanyol star Joan Garcia

By Ritayan Chatterjee on August 29, 2024

Arsenal have reportedly submitted a formal proposal to Espanyol to sign Joan Garcia before tomorrow’s deadline, as per the transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The Gunners have built a squad that can challenge for the Premier League title over the last few years. But Mikel Arteta has added a couple of new faces this summer to reinforce the squad.

After signing Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, Arsenal have signed Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad to strengthen the midfield department.

Now, with Aaron Ramsdale on the verge of leaving the club to join Southampton, they are looking to sign a new goalkeeper to replace the Englishman. It has been reported that Garcia is their primary target and they have already agreed on personal terms with him.

Garcia to Arsenal

Writing on X, Romano has reported that Arsenal have submitted an official offer worth around €20m[£17m], including add-ons and the offer has been presented to Espanyol by the player’s agents Juanma López and Andy Bara.

However, the journalist states that the goalkeeper has a £25m[€30m] release clause in his current contract and the Catalan club don’t want to let their star man leave for anything less than that.

He wrote:

“EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal submit €20m package bid for Joan García as new GK to replace Ramsdale. Agents Juanma López and Andy Bara bring the proposal to Espanyol worth €20m add-ons included. Espanyol ask for €30m clause. Joan García agreed terms with #AFC and wants Arsenal.”

After helping the Catalan side gain promotion last term, the 23-year-old has started all three games for them in La Liga this season. He displayed an impressive performance against Atletico Madrid last night, helping his side come away with a point from Metropolitano.

The goalkeeper was a part of the Spain team in the Olympics and won the Gold medal but didn’t feature in any of the games.

Garcia is a talented player and is comfortable with the ball at his feet. He is an excellent shot-stopper, good in the air and can play the sweeper-keeper role. So, he possesses the necessary attributes to play in Mikel Arteta’s possession-based system.

However, he is going to be the second-choice keeper to David Raya if he were to move to the Emirates Stadium before tomorrow so, spending the reported £25m fee for a backup keeper would be a lot.