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Arsenal identify another Spanish goalkeeper as Aaron Ramsdale's replacement
- Arsenal will be in the market for a goalkeeper if Aaron Ramsdale leaves
- Joan Garcia is high on the club's list
- Garcia's Espanyol remained in La Liga after winning relegation play-off
Arsenal will be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer if Aaron Ramsdale departs as expected, and they're lining up a move for another Spaniard in Joan Garcia.
The club only recently confirmed the permanent signing of David Raya after his successful loan spell last season which saw him usurp Ramsdale as the club's number one. Arsenal have splurged £27m to sign Raya, who claimed the Premier League's Golden Glove during his debut campaign.
Mikel Arteta is not looking for a new number one, but a back-up will be needed should Ramsdale leave north London. Premier League clubs have been circling, but there's been little movement as of yet with the Englishman currently away at Euro 2024.
We should expect much more transfer activity following the conclusion of the tournament on 14 July.
Espanyol's Joan Garica targeted as potential Aaron Ramsdale replacement
The Athletic report that Arsenal have Espanyol's Joan Garcia high up on their list should they require a Raya backup heading into 2024/25. The Spaniard is believed to have a €25m release clause having impressed with the La Liga club last season.
Garcia is just 23 and is yet to establish himself as Espanyol's outright number one having broken through the club's academy. However, Garcia conceded just seven times in 14 appearances last season, keeping eight clean sheets in the process.
And he wasn't bailed out by a stern defence. Garcia, during his 14 games, prevented 3.6 goals based on the quality of shots he faced (0.25 goals prevented per 90).
The underlying numbers depict an assured shot-stopper, and his towering 6'3 frame means he's excellent when claiming crosses. Raya impressed when defending the high ball last season, and Arteta seems to have identified a clone to his current number one. Garcia 'stopped' 16.1% of the crosses he faced last season which ranked in the 99th percentile of all goalkeepers from Europe's best 14 leagues outside of the premier five. Espanyol, of course, were competing in the Spanish second tier last season before earning promotion via the play-offs.
The sample size is somewhat small, and it's hard to get particularly excited over the addition of a back-up goalkeeper, but Garcia's signing will be absolutely necessary should Ramsdale eventually depart this summer.
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