Many people in football believed that Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia was going to join Arsenal.
The Gunners identified the Spaniard as their key target in goal over a year ago, but a deal could not be struck with Espanyol last summer.
Arsenal had bids rejected for Garcia in 2024, but there was still confidence that they would be able to get the deal over the line in this window.
But, it looks like Garcia is on his way to Barcelona now.
Why Joan Garcia is not joining Arsenal
Arsenal are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer.
The Gunners sent Neto back to Bournemouth after his uneventful loan spell last season, and they now need a new player in that position.
David Raya will remain the undisputed number one no matter who comes in, and Charles Watts believes that is the reason why Arsenal are about to miss out on Joan Garcia.
The Spaniard was one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga last season, and after doing so well at the highest level in his country, Watts says there is no way he was coming in to become the second choice.
He wrote in his column on Caught Offside: “We all know that Garcia was the keeper Arsenal really wanted, but the season he just had at Espanyol basically made that an impossible deal to do this summer.
“He was never going to come to be Raya’s No.2. His remarkable progress during the past 12 months ended Arsenal’s hopes of getting him.”
Edu Gaspar’s transfer mistake at Arsenal exposed
It really is a shame that Garcia will not be joining Arsenal.
The Spaniard is a terrific goalkeeper, and the fact that he is still only 24 means he has the potential to become one of the best in the world in a few years’ time.
Fabrizio Romano revealed last summer that Arsenal tabled a €20 million bid for Garcia, but Espanyol rejected that offer and demanded €30 million.
Edu Gaspar refused and signed Neto on loan instead, hoping that Garcia would become available again in 12 months’ time for a more favourable fee.
That, sadly, hasn’t happened, and Barcelona are now on the verge of signing him. Arsenal will now have to make do with Kepa Arrizabalaga instead.
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