Arsenal aren’t close to signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, although the player is keen on a move to the Premier League, Arsenal Insider understands.
Garcia is enjoying an exceptional season at Espanyol despite the Catalan side’s troubles, establishing himself as the undisputed number-one and keeping four clean sheets in the process.
This form has sparked significant interest in the shot-stopper, with Arsenal among the clubs monitoring his progress.
Reports emerged last week suggesting that Arsenal can sign Garcia for just £12 million if Espanyol are relegated from La Liga, although the deal isn’t advanced and the North Londoners will face significant competition for his signature.
Arsenal’s deal for Joan Garcia isn’t advanced
It’s well documented that Arsenal tried to sign Garcia last summer, but ultimately ended up settling with Neto on loan from Bournemouth, due to the excessive asking price Espanyol placed on their goalkeeper.
However, the indications in February were that Arsenal are likely to land Garcia this time around, with groundwork already being done between his representatives and the Premier League club.
These reports are wide of the mark, as Arsenal Insider now understands that the deal isn’t close to being completed and that Garcia’s rising stock may mean he’s too good to fill a deputy role to David Raya at the Emirates.
TBR Football’s transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that Garcia was keen on the switch last summer.
“I think it’s a long way from being done that deal,” he said.
“I think, unfortunately for Arsenal, Garcia has been one of the picks of the Spanish leagues this year. There was a lot of surprise that he wasn’t in the recent squad. He’s very, very highly-rated. Is he too good to be number two at Arsenal now? I think that’s a possibility.
“The player obviously wanted to come last year, didn’t get done. He’s had a brilliant season. I think there’s an issue there with him. They obviously want a high-class number two, so how do they sell that to Garcia?
“Obviously Raya has a few years left in him as well. Arsenal definitely still want him and the player is keen to come to England.
“I know Arsenal will have some competition for him, and I think it’s going to be a difficult one to get done. That doesn’t mean they won’t, but it’s not going to be as easy as it was last year.
“Last year they had a straight run at him. They couldn’t get the deal done, they might come to regret that.”
How does Joan Garcia compare to David Raya?
If Mikel Arteta is set on bringing Garcia to N5, he may have to offer him a more regular role in the side, otherwise, he risks missing out on the 23-year-old.
Merely playing in the domestic cups may not entice the Spaniard, while handing him too many minutes may antagonise Raya.
In the long-run, one man will win with job if they both end up plying their trade in North London.
Garcia has been described as ‘phenomenal’ by football analyst Ben Mattinson, and he certainly has similar traits to Raya that make him an interesting potential successor to the former Brentford man.
Similarly calm and composed in possession to Raya, Garcia is a few inches taller, while the Espanyol keeper is equally as adept at claiming crosses.
The two players actually profile very similarly, explaining why Arteta is so insistent on having both in his squad, so that if Raya is unavailable, the Arsenal boss wouldn’t have to alter his playing style in any way.
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