Arsenal had Spanish keeper Joan Garcia on their radar this summer after he helped Spain win the Men’s football tournament at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Garcia was key as he helped Espanyol gain promotion to La Liga this year. The keeper kept three clean sheets in four games during the promotion playoffs.
Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza hinted that the club rejected Arsenal’s bid for Garcia this summer:
“For this exercise, we have understood that Joan is an asset and that he is necessary to achieve the objective because he acts in a very specific position.
“We could not weaken there, we couldn’t.
“The interest in him is not going to stop. The time to sell Joan may be at another time.”
Arsenal eventually signed Neto on loan from Bournemouth this summer.
In the summer, when Arsenal entered negotiations, they were only willing to pay €20million for the Spanish keeper. Espanyol insisted they pay the €30million release clause but a move failed to materialize.
Mundo Deportivo revealed that Joan Garcia’s release clause was lowered from €30million to €25million after the summer transfer window. The current price will be in place until January. After the January window, the clause returns to the initial €30million fee.
Garcia revealed later, that during the transfer saga he felt isolated from his teammates as he was in the dark over his future:
“During the entire market I was quite isolated,” he said.
“I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting. The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.
“Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this – playing with Espanyol in the First Division – and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it.”
The 23-year old’s heroics are the reason why newly promoted Espanyol are currently in 14th place in La Liga.
Any move for Garcia would mean that Neto returns to Bournemouth after his loan deal. And with David Raya at 29 years and improving every game, Garcia would have to become the backup keeper.
The 23-year old would surely be nailed on to be the number one in the future if Raya departs along the line.
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