Arsenal is reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer. The Gunners had previously tried to sign Garcia last summer but were unable to finalize a deal. Now, Arsenal is confident they can secure his signature as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. Garcia has been a key player for Espanyol this season, starting every La Liga match and making a significant impact. Despite Espanyol’s struggles, Garcia has stood out, particularly with his shot-stopping ability, ranking high in La Liga for preventing goals.
Arsenal’s situation in goal has been an ongoing story, particularly after the club made a move to sign David Raya from Brentford and decided to relegate Aaron Ramsdale to second-choice goalkeeper. Raya’s first season with Arsenal was successful, and he even claimed the Premier League’s Golden Glove award. However, his second season has seen a slight reduction in clean sheets, and with Ramsdale joining Southampton in the summer, Arsenal moved to sign Neto from Bournemouth as Raya’s backup. Unfortunately, Neto has only made one appearance for Arsenal, and it’s clear he won’t be staying beyond his current loan spell.
This means that Arsenal will need to find a new backup goalkeeper for Raya. Garcia has emerged as a possible candidate for this role. While the Gunners had initially shown interest in Garcia last summer, a deal could not be reached due to Espanyol’s asking price. At the time, Arsenal was only willing to pay €20m, but Espanyol demanded more than €25m. As of now, Arsenal is optimistic that they can come to an agreement with Espanyol for Garcia’s services this summer. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has had a breakout season with Espanyol, and his performances have caught the attention of several clubs, including Arsenal.
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Garcia has been exceptional in goal, particularly in terms of shot-stopping. His +2.5 post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed figure ranks him sixth in La Liga, meaning he has saved his team from conceding several goals. Despite Espanyol’s difficult season, Garcia’s individual performances have been a bright spot, and he recently impressed in a 1-0 win over Real Madrid, where he kept a clean sheet against the likes of Kylian Mbappe. His ability to claim crosses has also been a key strength, ranking fourth in the league for stopping crosses faced.
While Garcia’s passing and sweeping abilities are not always on display due to Espanyol’s deep defensive line and direct playing style, he has shown enough promise to warrant interest from top clubs like Arsenal. There are stylistic similarities between Garcia and Raya, and Garcia’s performances have been notable enough that Arsenal may see him as a suitable backup to Raya.
Reports suggest that Arsenal is confident they can land Garcia this summer, with negotiations likely to be smoother than last year. Espanyol had set a high price for the young goalkeeper, but now, with Garcia continuing to impress in La Liga, his release clause could increase from €30m to €35m if he earns a call-up to the Spanish national team. This could complicate negotiations, but Arsenal is still believed to be in a strong position to secure a deal. Garcia’s current contract with Espanyol runs until 2028, meaning the Spanish club holds significant leverage in any potential transfer.
The situation with Garcia is not the only one Arsenal is dealing with this transfer window. The club has been closely monitoring other potential signings, and there are several areas of the squad that Mikel Arteta will want to address in the summer. However, securing a reliable backup goalkeeper like Garcia could be crucial to ensuring that Arsenal has sufficient depth in all positions heading into the new season.
Arsenal’s interest in Garcia has been widely reported, and while the deal may be complicated by Espanyol’s demands, Arsenal is confident they can reach an agreement. Garcia’s impressive performances in La Liga have made him a top target for several clubs, but Arsenal’s pursuit of the goalkeeper seems to be moving in the right direction. Whether they can agree on a transfer fee with Espanyol remains to be seen, but the Gunners are hopeful they can strike a deal that benefits both parties. As Arsenal continues to strengthen their squad ahead of the summer transfer window, securing Garcia’s services could be a key move in ensuring the team is well-prepared for the challenges of the upcoming season.
In summary, Arsenal’s interest in Joan Garcia is no secret, and after failing to sign him last summer, the club is now closing in on an agreement for his transfer this year. With Espanyol’s struggles and Garcia’s strong performances in La Liga, it is clear that the young goalkeeper is a player in demand. While negotiations are ongoing, Arsenal is confident they can secure Garcia as their new backup goalkeeper, and the transfer could be a crucial part of the club’s plans for the upcoming season.
