Arsenal are set for further movement in the transfer market this summer, as goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is now expected to depart.
Ramsdale lost his place to David Raya last season, and will now aim to depart Arsenal to play regularly.
Arsenal rejected a loan bid from Wolves for the goalkeeper, but talks are ongoing, with Arsenal preferring to sell Ramsdale permanently.
If Ramsdale does end up departing, Mikel Arteta already has his eye on a replacement, in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with Garcia, but they now face a stumbling block, as it appears that he will not come cheaply.
Jon Karrikaburu of FC Andorra and Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol are competing for the ball during the LaLiga Hypermotion 2023 – 2024 match between RC…
Espanyol will not negotiate with Arsenal over Joan Garcia
Spanish outlet Relevo have now reported that Espanyol will not negotiate over Garcia, and will demand his release clause to be paid in full.
Garcia’s release clause recently increased to around €30m (£25.5m), a hefty price for the 23-year-old, who only became Espanyol’s first-choice option in the second half of last season.
The Spaniard started in Espanyol’s opening day defeat to Karl Hein’s Real Valladolid on Monday, and spoke about his future after the game.
“I am very calm, I am a person who isolates me from this kind of thing. I’ve got my head focused here and thinking about Saturday’s game. Whether it goes on or not, in football these things can’t be decided by yourself, but I’m very happy here.” Garcia stated.
Espanyol do not plan to negotiate over their goalkeeper, meaning that if Arsenal want to sign him, they will need to pay his clause.
Arsenal should not pay Joan Garcia’s £25m release clause
Garcia is a goalkeeper well-suited to Arsenal’s style, and he would be a good addition. However, he would arrive as a second-choice option, and £25m is simply too much for a backup goalkeeper.
Fans will be frustrated if Arsenal spend £25m on a goalkeeper and no attacking player arrives in this transfer window.
If Espanyol refuse to negotiate over Garcia, then other options such as free agent Wojciech Szczesny should be considered.
If there is room to lower Garcia’s fee, then he would be a good long-term investment, but it depends on price, and despite agreeing personal terms, Edu Gaspar should be prepared to walk away from the deal despite his talent.
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