Arsenal are seeking a goalkeeper in the likely event that Aaron Ramsdale departs the club this summer, and they may have found their ideal replacement.
Ramsdale is set to leave in search of first-team action after losing his Arsenal place to David Raya, and Mikel Arteta will need to replace him with another backup.
This could come in the form of a fairly inexperienced option, in 23-year-old Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The Spaniard recently helped his side achieve promotion back to La Liga, following a 2-0 victory over Santi Cazorla’s Real Oviedo in the La Liga 2 playoff final.
It has now been claimed that Garcia, who has been selected in Spain’s squad for the Olympics this summer, is set to join Arsenal.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur
Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claimed on a La Grada Online stream that Garcia is to become an Arsenal player.
“Joan Garcia, Espanyol goalkeeper, future of Arsenal,” he stated when the goalkeeper’s place in the Olympic squad was announced.
Spanish outlet AS have also claimed that Tottenham Hotspur are in the running for the goalkeeper, who saw his release clause increase to around £21m after Espanyol were promoted back to the top flight.
Who is Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia?
Until March, Garcia was Espanyol’s second choice option behind veteran Fernando Pacheco. However, he since took his place, and impressed between the sticks as his side reached the playoff places and secured their return to the top flight.
With 12 clean sheets and just 10 goals conceded in 21 games across all competitions this season, Garcia’s record is impressive, and he was described as “very talented” by legendary Espanyol goalkeeper Thomas N’Kono.
At 1.91m tall, Garcia would provide a lot of height to Arsenal’s goalkeeping roster, which David Raya perhaps lacks, but it remains to be seen whether his release clause of £21m will be met given his lack of experience at the top level.
It appears that Arsenal and Tottenham both see him as an ideal backup keeper for next season, but Arteta may have the upper hand in the race to sign him.
