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Arsenal told the price they must pay to sign Joan Garcia by Espanyol after bid made

Vishal Subramanian

Thu 29 August 2024 13:35, UK

With just over a day left for the transfer window to slam shut, Arsenal face a race against time to sign Joan Garcia from Espanyol.

The Gunners are in the market for a goalkeeper after Aaron Ramsdale agreed a deal to sign for Southampton and remain locked in talks to sign the Spanish U-21 international.

Arsenal made a £17m offer for Garcia earlier today in the hope of snapping him up on the cheap, having already agreed personal terms with him.

However, Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed that they must trigger his release clause to get him out of Espanyol.

Arsenal must pay £25m to sign Joan Garcia

Garcia has a release clause worth £25m and the La Liga giants are unwilling to part with the goalkeeper unless their valuation is met.

Having been identified as Ramsdale‘s ideal replacement, the Gunners have thus far been frustrated in their efforts to sign the 23-year-old.

When quizzed about links with Arsenal, Garcia revealed earlier this summer that he’s relaxed about his future, indicating that he wouldn’t be unhappy if a transfer doesn’t materialise.

Arsenal must react quickly if they want Garcia

With the transfer window set to slam shut on Friday, Arsenal are playing a dangerous game by attempting to sign Garcia on the cheap.

With Karl Hein joining Real Valladolid on loan for the 2024-25 campaign, Ramsdale’s impending departure would leave the Gunners with David Raya as their only senior goalkeeper in the squad, making them desperately short of options in that position.

Espanyol have made it clear that they will not part with the 23-year-old if his release clause isn’t triggered, so the ball is firmly on Arsenal’s court to decide whether they want to stick or twist.

With time running out, it remains to be seen if the Gunners agree to match the La Liga side’s asking price.