Joan Garcia 'prefers' Premier League move amid strong Barcelona links

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is said to be favouring a move to the Premier League over a switch to rivals Barcelona this summer.

Arsenal were keen on signing Garcia as Aaron Ramsdale's replacement last summer but refused to trigger the Spaniard's release clause. Instead, the club pivoted to short-term fix Neto, who joined the club on loan, but the experienced Brazilian goalkeeper will not be extending his stay in north London.

David Raya enjoyed another excellent season with the Gunners, securing a second successive Golden Glove, and it's clear Arsenal don't need to upgrade their goalkeeper position this summer, but instead supply Raya with ample cover. Youngsters Tommy Setford, Jack Porter and Alexei Rojas are not yet ready to step up and serve as the Spaniard's number two, so the club are expected to dip their toe in the market this summer.

Garcia remains of interest, but Barcelona are pushing hard for his signature.

Joan Garcia's future up in the air with Barcelona move uncertain

Unlike Arsenal, Barca's goalkeeper situation is much more precarious. Number one Marc-Andre ter Stegen has battled multiple injury setbacks in recent years and the club were forced to unretire Wojciech Szczesny to provide mitigation this season. Academy graduate Inaki Pena is expected to leave.

Relovo's Alex Pintanel understands that the Catalan club have decided to pursue Garcia, but Matteo Moretto reports that Espanyol's goalkeeper would rather join a Premier League club than his bitter rivals. Garcia has been with Barca's neighbours since 2016, playing a key role in their promotion last season and their survival this term.

The goalkeeper's impressive rise has caught the interest of many clubs, and I fear Arsenal may have missed the boat by not getting a deal done last summer. While Garcia is believed to still be of interest, why would he join the Gunners to operate as a number two when a whole host of clubs would be willing to offer the 24-year-old their #1 shirt?

Real Madrid, Newcastle and Aston Villa are also said to be interested in the Arsenal target, whose release clause remains at €25m after he wasn't called up by Luis de la Fuente for Spain's fixtures in June. Last summer, the Gunners were only willing to send €20m Espanyol's way for the goalkeeper and Garcia was gutted that a deal wasn't struck.

“It was with La Liga just underway and three days away from the deadline," Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza recently said (via Mundo Deportivo), describing Garcia's reaction to Arsenal's failed proposal. "The look on his face during that conversation almost made me feel sorry for him; I saw him as if he were my son. He was told the time would come, and it will."

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