Arsenal Explore Joan Garcia Deal Amid Espanyol’s Financial Pressure
Arsenal are keeping an eye on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia with the Spanish club believed to be willing to sell the 23-year-old for a cut-price fee before June 30 to help balance their books. Espanyol are still vying for promotion from the Segunda División and the club’s financial situation is dire, which could leave them with little option but to sell, and Arsenal are poised to take advantage.
One of the standout players in Spain’s second division this season has been Joan Garcia. With 15 clean sheets in as many as 33 league starts, his sharp reflexes, aerial comand and quick distribution have led to comparisons with a number of contemporary shot-stoppers excelling in Europe’s top leagues. Even though Espanyol went off the deep end last season and dropped down to La Liga, Garcia has been making quality on the pitch, and his talent is starting to get some notice.
With Arsenal in the market for a long-term goalkeeper, Garcia could potentially be a shrewd acquisition. Aaron Ramsdale is expected to leave in the summer after losing his place in the pecking order to David Raya, Arsenal are still eyeing a reliable backup – potentially even a potential future No.1 – without breaking the bank.
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Espanyol were claiming £20m for Garcia at first but can be expected to drop down to closer to the £10–12m range if no top-flight promotion is secured. The June 30 deadline reflects financial fair play regulations in Spain, where clubs frequently try to complete sales before the end of the fiscal year.
Garcia’s contract has a 2028 expiration date, so in theory Espanyol have that leverage. But the club’s present financial position and Arsenal’s increasing interest may change that. Arsenal have already checked the player’s character and temperament.
Style of Play Suits Arsenal’s Vision
Garcia’s game profile fits the bill for what Mikel Arteta asks of his goalies. He’s also comfortable playing out from the back, often starting short passing chains and with good composure under pressure — key attributes in Arsenal’s backline system.
At 24, Garcia is still developing but has demonstrated he possesses leadership qualities and mental toughness. He also played for Spain at youth levels, and some national team coaches watch him closely despite no senior appearances yet.
His reflexes, shot stopping ability, and recovery time after saves are his strong points. Moreover his crosses decision and off line rush timing for no doubt makes the young keeper mature for his young age. Garcia has evolved into a modern goalkeeper, thanks to playing as a sweeper-keeper in Espanyol’s current system, which demands a proactive presence.
Every club that passes on Joan García will regret it in the near future.
A player with such ceiling, for that fee and low wages won’t come again.
He’s certain to be among the elites in no time. pic.twitter.com/HXl8uJ8zX5
— Eduardo Hagn (@EduardoHagn) May 15, 2025
To Arsenal, the chance to land such a prospect on the cheap would be smart business. With the Gunners’ transition to more data-based recruitment, Garcia’s statistical profile likely matches many of the club’s internal benchmarks.
Author’s Opinion
Looking at a wider view, Arsenal’s interest in Joan Garcia just makes sense. Their situation does not result in an immediate need for a goalkeeper to start, but they need to look beyond Ramsdale and fact that David Raya is not a long-term prospect. Garcia offers depth, competition and maybe even some upside — all on-the-cheap.
Especially in light of Espanyol’s need to develop — there’s opportunities there that elite sides simply have to exploit. Garcia might not initially come in as a starter, but in Arteta’s system, he has the potential to become a top-class Premier League goalkeeper. With their fee possibly halved because of Espanyol’s time limit, the Gunners can barely afford to miss out on a future prospect.
If the deal happens, it would represent a low key but high impact piece of business that fits in perfectly with Arsenal’s recent moves: young, technical players with high potential and resale value. Joan Garcia checks all those boxes.
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