Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in order to provide competition for David Raya.
Raya joined the club on loan from Brentford last season, and quickly usurped Aaron Ramsdale as Mikel Arteta‘s first-choice keeper. He ended the season with the Golden Glove award, keeping more clean sheets than any in the Premier League.
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However, despite this, Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign another Spanish keeper who can provide competition for Raya, even though his form from last year has continued this season too.
According to a report by the Metro, Arsenal chiefs held talks with Joan Garcia’s representatives in December when the first team were in Spain for a Champions League game against Girona.
Garcia has established himself as one of the best in La Liga, making 27 appearances for Espanyol this season, conceding 39 goals and keeping four clean sheets. These are impressive numbers considering that Espanyol are 15th out of 20 in La Liga.
The report says that Arsenal were unwilling to activate Garcia’s £21.4m release clause last summer, and instead opted to sign Bournemouth keeper Neto on loan. However, as Neto returns to the South Coast in the summer, Garcia has emerged as the top target to provide competition for Raya.
Do Arsenal need a new goalkeeper?
Seeing as the Gunners currently have Raya at the back, it could be argued that a new keeper isn’t necessary for Arteta’s side, and that they should focus on other positions in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal do have a couple of young goalkeepers who could step up to the backup role after Neto leaves, including 16-year-old Jack Porter, who made his first Arsenal appearance earlier this season in the Carabao Cup.
Porter started the game alongside the likes of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri when the Gunners beat Bolton Wanderers 5-1 in the Carabao Cup third round.
Click here to see Arsenal’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season.