Sporting director confirms he will sell 'high-level' star to Arsenal

Tom Weber

Updated: 20 Sept 2024 15:26 BST
3 min read

Edu Gaspar, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has confirmed that Arsenal bid for Joan Garcia in the summer.

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The Gunners were in the market for a new No.2 in the previous transfer window. David Raya supplanted Aaron Ramsdale last season and the latter wanted out as a result.

The England international eventually sealed a surprising €21.4 million transfer to promoted Southampton, which made the signing of a new backup goalkeeper a pressing matter for Arsenal.

Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia, who had just helped the Barcelona-based side achieve promotion to LaLiga and claimed gold at the Olympics with Spain, was Mikel Arteta's desired replacement for Ramsdale.

However, the LaLiga side insisted on the Gunners paying his €30m release clause, which the Premier League giants were unwilling to do. Espanyol rejected Arsenal's low-ball bids and the latter were ultimately forced to loan experienced Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto for the season.

Director confirms Arsenal interest and inevitable sale

Speaking to AS, Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has confirmed that the club could have cashed in on Garcia in the summer and acknowledged that the time to sell will eventually come.

"Well, with Joan it is obvious that his talent lies there [at Arsenal's level]... His day-to-day life is of a very high level. Obviously, he took advantage of [Fernando] Pacheco's injury and has taken the [No.1] position. It is true that there is interest in him, but for us he is an asset.

"That's where we get a little bit into what a good sale is. What is a good sale?... We understood that Joan is an asset and that he is necessary to achieve our objectives because he plays in a very specific position.

We could not weaken there, we could not. The interest in him will not stop. The time to sell Joan may be at another time."