%20rotate(-8.06)%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22336.19%20136.81%20330.16%2094.25%20326.06%2071.19%20326.44%2071.13%20335.22%2093.54%20352.29%20134.52%20373.95%20131.46%20362.7%2052.01%20350.02%2053.8%20356.05%2096.36%20360.15%20119.42%20359.77%20119.48%20350.99%2097.08%20333.91%2056.09%20312.25%2059.15%20323.51%20138.6%20336.19%20136.81%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22402.91%2059.3%20412.36%20126.02%20427.17%20123.92%20417.72%2057.21%20431.59%2055.24%20429.79%2042.51%20387.23%2048.53%20389.04%2061.27%20402.91%2059.3%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22463.51%20118.77%20458.69%2084.71%20474.68%2082.44%20479.51%20116.5%20494.36%20114.4%20483.11%2034.95%20468.26%2037.06%20472.96%2070.25%20456.96%2072.52%20452.26%2039.32%20437.4%2041.43%20448.65%20120.88%20463.51%20118.77%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22540.5%20107.87%20538.77%2095.68%20518.91%2098.49%20515.77%2076.29%20535.63%2073.47%20533.93%2061.5%20514.07%2064.32%20511.11%2043.42%20530.98%2040.61%20529.25%2028.42%20494.53%2033.34%20505.78%20112.78%20540.5%20107.87%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22cls-1%22%20points%3D%22299.03%20155.17%20301.29%20171.58%20542.78%20138.39%20540.5%20121.97%20299.03%20155.17%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
After a quiet January, Arsenal are poised to make amends this summer and are reportedly closing in on an agreement to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The Gunners' situation between the sticks was once a major talking point after Mikel Arteta oversaw the arrival of David Raya and ushered out fan favourite Aaron Ramsdale. Raya vindicated the manager's faith, however, as he claimed the Premier League's Golden Glove during his debut campaign.
Raya has arguably improved in year two despite a reduction in clean sheets, with Ramsdale joining Southampton in the summer having been relegated to number two. In a late panic, Arsenal moved to sign Bournemouth's Neto as Raya's deputy for 2024/25, but the experienced Brazilian has played just once for the club.
It's safe to say that Neto won't be kept on beyond his current loan, meaning Arsenal are set to require a new Raya back-up this summer.
Arsenal closing in on agreement for another summer transfer
🚨 Arsenal expect to finally land Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in the upcoming summer window.
— Football Insider (@footyinsider247) February 10, 2025
🚨 Mikel Arteta’s side launched a move for the Espanyol star last summer but could not get a deal over the line.
🚨 Arsenal are now confident of signing Garcia as well as Real… pic.twitter.com/8kZm67p5sZ
Reports suggest the Gunners were in for Espanyol's Garcia to replace Ramsdale last summer but were unable to strike a deal. The 23-year-old hadn't played all that much at a senior level when Arsenal's interest first manifested, but has started every single La Liga fixture this term.
Espanyol have struggled and are fighting to remain in the Spanish top flight, but Garcia has been a shining light. The Spaniard has excelled from a shot-stopping perspective, ranking sixth in the division with a +2.5 post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed figure - essentially the number of goals he's prevented. Only Arsenal loanee Karl Hein has conceded more La Liga goals, however.
Wouldn’t be surprised if we went back in for Joan García in the summer, I’d like us to.
— Ben Mattinson (@Ben_Mattinson_) February 2, 2025
MOTM display vs Real Madrid today showing off his maturity, athleticism and commanding presence.
Relatively inexperienced GK but has a huge ceiling.
🎥: @Hxkzaftbl pic.twitter.com/MQtUj1qtB8 https://t.co/vV0zvR7MaN
Garcia has also had success claiming the high ball, stopping 8.5% of all crosses faced - the fourth-highest rate in the league. His ability as a passer and sweeper rarely come to the fore given Espanyol's deep defensive line and tendency to go long from goal kicks, but there are nonetheless some stylistic similarities with compatriot Raya. He recently impressed in a 1-0 win over Real Madrid, shutting out Kylian Mbappe and company.
Football Insider's Pete O'Rourke suggests Arsenal are 'confident of agreeing a deal' to sign Garcia this summer having failed to strike a deal in 2024. The Gunners were only willing to pay €20m while the Spanish club demanded upwards of €25m.
It remains to be seen what the club will have to pay this summer, although there have been reports from Spain suggesting Garcia's release clause will increase from €30m to €35m should he earn a call-up to the national team. That may well be a possibility next month.
The goalkeeper's current contract expires in 2028, so Espanyol have plenty of leverage. Should Arsenal be willing to fork out so much for a back-up goalkeeper?