Arsenal dealt blow as Barcelona reach agreement in principle to sign Joan Garcia
Arsenal goalkeeping target and Espanyol star Joan Garcia already has an agreement in principle to join Barcelona this summer, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER (h/t Diario AS).
The Gunners were reportedly close to signing the 24-year-old as manager Mikel Arteta wants him to provide quality cover and competition for David Raya next season as Neto will return to Bournemouth after his loan spell this season.
However, Arsenal sporting director, Andrea Berta, does not believe signing Garcia is a good use of funds if the North London club have to manage spending this summer, and the latest news from Spain could be music to his ears.
His €25 million release clause is expected to be activated by Barca, who want loan him out to Valencia for 2025-26, and the Gunners will now have to look elsewhere for a back-up goalie.
They have 19-year-old Tommy Setford and 16-year-old Jack Porter within their ranks, and both have already played for the first-team, while Karl Hein is returning to the club this season after his season-long loan at Real Valladolid.
Despite the huge talents of the aforementioned trio, Arsenal need an experienced goalkeeper as an option on the bench, and the trio need loan spells elsewhere to play regularly.
Arteta and Berta may need to look at an older goalie who still has plenty to offer and is willing to play a bit-part role next season and going forward, and they will not be short of options to consider in England.
Garcia was keen on joining the North Londoners last summer but a deal fell through and both parties were hoping to get a move done this summer.
It appears he will remain in Spain as becoming the number 1 goalkeeper for Barca in the near future is more appealing, but his suitors will continue to monitor the development as nothing is guaranteed yet, and they will hope to swoop should the opportunity arise.
