Arsenal will likely invest in a second-choice goalkeeper when the transfer window reopens.
The Gunners were keen on signing Espanyol’s Joan Garcia after parting ways with Aaron Ramsdale last summer, but the La Liga outfit refused to provide a discount.
Arsenal proposed to pay £16.6m for the talented shot-stopper, but Espanyol were adamant that he would not be sold for less than his release clause before the deadline.
Garcia’s buy-out clause increased from £20.7m to £24.8m for the final 15 days of the transfer window. Mikel Arteta’s side decided against paying the reported price.
The Gunners ended up landing Neto on loan from Bournemouth, but reports claim that the club are poised to return for Garcia with talks held with his representatives.
His release clause will reduce again to £20.7m this summer, and Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has confirmed that club will accept a lesser fee for an early deal.
He said (via Mundo Deportivo): “Clause or nothing? No. In the [last] summer window, with call from Arsenal in the last week, it has to be that [clause].
“But if you get an offer on June 14th that isn’t the clause but is close in fixed and variable amounts, Espanyol are not going to say no.
“We can’t say no. If a club comes with €8m for Joan García, that’s a bad sale, 100%.”
Garcia made a huge impression for Espanyol in the back end of last season as they secured promotion from La Liga 2. He has continued to excel as the first-choice goalkeeper.
The 23-year-old has been exceptional with his reflexes between the sticks. He has made close to four saves per league game with a success rate of 71 per cent.
The Spaniard has registered more than five long balls per outing with 10 recoveries. He has also impressed with his ability to clear his lines when required.
He is developing into one of the best shot-stoppers in the country. Arsenal could seriously make an effort to bring him to north London at the end of the campaign.
The club have scouted him for months. With his immense potential, there is a possibility that he could become the Gunners’ number one ahead of David Raya in the long run.
Stats from Sofascore.com
