Arsenal’s pursuit of Espanyol’s promising goalkeeper Joan Garcia remains a topic of interest, despite the club missing out on signing the Spaniard during the summer transfer window. Renowned journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Gunners are still keen on bringing the 23-year-old to the Emirates Stadium.
Throughout the summer, Arsenal was actively seeking a new goalkeeper to bolster their squad. Joan Garcia, who had a breakout season with Espanyol, emerged as a top target. The young shot-stopper kept eight clean sheets in 14 La Liga appearances during the 2023/24 season, catching the eye of Arsenal’s scouting team.
Despite agreeing on personal terms with Garcia, Arsenal’s attempts to negotiate a transfer fee with Espanyol were unsuccessful. The Spanish club remained firm on their demand for Garcia’s release clause, which is set at €30 million. Arsenal’s final bid of €20 million plus add-ons was rejected, forcing the Gunners to look elsewhere.
The North London club’s interest in Garcia was partly driven by the departure of Aaron Ramsdale, who completed a £25 million move to Southampton. With Ramsdale gone, Arsenal needed a reliable backup for their new number one, David Raya. Garcia was seen as an ideal candidate due to his similar playing style and potential for growth.
In the end, Arsenal opted for a short-term solution by signing Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto Murara on a season-long loan. However, the club’s interest in Garcia remains strong, and they are expected to revisit the possibility of signing him in future transfer windows.
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