According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are interested in signing Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia as a deputy for first-choice keeper David Raya as they look to sign a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who has been linked with a move away from North London in the ongoing summer transfer window.
The 23-year-old has shown his high potential on multiple occasions and is one of the names subject to high links with Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Garcia has been impressive in the last season after helping his current employers achieve promotion last season as he kept eight clean sheets in fourteen appearances. The youngster was a part of the Spanish squad that won gold in the 2024 Olympics and he would be keen to impress in the Spanish top tier in the upcoming season.
ARSENAL’S PLAN FOR RAMSDALE REPLACEMENT
While he prepares to lineup in-between the woodwork for Espanyol, the likes of Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal are keeping tabs on acquiring his signatures.
The Gunners continue their hunt for a reliable No. 2, and they are making proactive moves to secure a new keeper with Joan Garcia being the premier choice when it comes down to it.
Many felt that Aaron Ramsdale would be a leader at the back under Mikel Arteta during his premier campaign at the emirates Stadium, but he has been reduced to play a second fiddle role to Raya, who was on a loan deal at London Colney last season and secured his highly anticipated strategic move to Arsenal on a permanent deal earlier this season.
And this leaves the 26-year-old no choice other than to find a new home.
Dutch giants Ajax tabled a loan offer for the Englishman, which was rejected by the Gunners.
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🚨 EXCL: Arsenal reject approach from Ajax to sign Aaron Ramsdale. Initial loan turned down – #AFC rather 26yo England int’l leaves permanently this summer but #Ajax retain interest/optimism. Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia potential replacement @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/Dm2G13Boaw pic.twitter.com/SjIzxSm3aD
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 13, 2024
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Director Edu and Co. want to sell the player permanently to raise funds for a new keeper. Garcia is viewed as a perfect young backup who can develop into a top-tier player under Arteta.
The Espanyol star is a promising talent for the present and future. He boasted a save percentage of 82% last season. A towering keeper with quick reflexes and can operate as a sweeper keeper. But he needs to work on his possession-based football.
The Castilian is already a starter for his present club, plus he is capped through the age groups for his national side, which directly reflects in his valuation having increased over the years.
ARSENAL TARGET ESPANYOL’S JOAN GARCIA
Garcia is currently priced at €21.8 million, but that will increase to €25 million by August 15. This fee might soar even higher if he makes his senior debut for Spain, which we believe is just around the corner.
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The Gunners aren’t going to sell Ramsdale instantly especially at a very high value, and they have to pay hefty fees to sign the backup player.
Some questions need to be asked about this transfer. Whether splurging such an amount for a reserve keeper is ideal? Can they offer a loan move for the Espanyol star? or are there other options for Arsenal in the transfer market?
Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow and Juventus’s senior keeper Wojciech Szczesny have been linked with the club this summer.
