%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)
Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who is edging closer to a move to Spanish giants Barcelona, according to a report by Fabrizio Romano.
The transfer guru has revealed that the Espanyol shotstopper is close to reaching an advanced agreement with the La Liga champions to join a long-term deal. Barcelona are said to want a deal wrapped up quickly amid interest from the Gunners and other Premier League clubs.
With Hansi Flick's side confident of getting a move done, it looks as if Arsenal could miss out on the man who was their priority shotstopper option heading into the summer transfer window.
Arsenal dealt huge blow in their pursuit of Joan Garcia
With Neto set to return to parent club Bournemouth at the end of his loan, Arsenal are in need of signing a number two goalkeeper this summer. Garcia was wanted by Mikel Arteta a year ago, but no deal was formalised and despite the Gunners renewing their interest once again, it looks like they will miss out.
The Spaniard was reported to have initially preferred a move to the Premier League, but his head has now been turned by the giants that are Barcelona.
Arsenal will now have to turn their attention to finding another option and with no suitable alternatives already at the club, that will have to be one of their priorities heading into the transfer window.
This isn't ideal for the Gunners and sporting director Andrea Berta, who already had a lot on their hands with the hunt for a striker, winger, midfielder and whatever other positions this summer. He will now have to work with Arteta to find a new second-choice goalkeeper for the club.
Garcia seemed to be the perfect option for Arsenal. With his distribution abilities and prowess between the sticks, he is a similar shotstopper to David Raya and due to being only being 24-years-old, he was likely viewed as a long-term successor to his fellow Spaniard. However, it now looks like the Gunners will miss out on securing his services and will have to look elsewhere for a suitable alternative to their number one.