Credit: Getty Images/Paul ELLIS/AFP

News

HomeNewsArsenalEnglish Premier League

Arsenal fear they might miss out on ‘excellent’ target despite previously agreeing personal terms with Man City interested

Lucas Arnold

Tue 11 February 2025 12:15, UK

TBR Football exclusively understands that Arsenal now face a battle to land Espanyol keeper Joan Garcia who is enjoying an outstanding campaign in Spain.

Arsenal wanted to sign Garcia in 2024, a goalkeeper who was intended to arrive in N5 🌳to play back up to David Raya.

Aaron Ramsdale left for Southampton late in the window and Arsenal were then scrambling to find a suitable replac🦩ement.

In the end, the Gunners settled on taking experienced campaigner Neto from Bourn꧒emouth, one of two domestic loans which stopped Arsenal pursuing someone like Evan Ferguson on a temporary basis last month.

That being said, Arsenal are still interested in Garcia, but will now face much greater competition i🉐n the coming summer.

Bournemouth eyeing deal for Arsenal target Joan Garcia

Graeme Bailey – chief correspondent at TBR Football, understands that Garcia is now attracting interest from a number of other clubs 🐷in England.

Bournemouth are now tracking the Spaniard closely, a si💝de who would be able to offer the 23-year-old regular football, as opposed to being Raya’s back up in north London.

READ MORE: After failed Ollie Watkins bid Arsenal now interested in sign🍌ing another Aston Villa star

Andoni Iraola’s side currently have Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Che✨lsea, but it is not guaranteed that they will push to sign him permanently.

As a result, Bournemouth are looking at other options, and one of those is ꧅Garcia.

It is also unders꧙tood that Manchester City, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Brentford have also be🌟en watching Garcia closely this season.

Arsenal had agreed personal terms with Joan Garcia

When Arsenal tried to land 🌞Garcia in 2024, they actually went as far as agreeing personal terms with th𝓡e goalkeeper.

However, the Gunners would not pay Garcia’s release clause which was around✅ £25m.

Inaki Cana has identified the Spaniard as the ideal number two for Raya, who was also brought in as a r𝔉ecommendation from Arsenal’s goalkeeping coach.

Arsenal don’t see Neto as a long-term option, explai🧜ning why they are still keen on Garcia. 

Garcia is yet to earn a cap for Spain despite being involved with the senior squad, but he once again displayed how ready he is🐎 to play at the top level earning a Player of the Match award against Real Madrid r🌄ecently.

An ‘excellent‘ young talent, and Arsenal might yet regret 🐭their decision not to secure his signature in 2024.