Arsenal - Joan Garcia
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have officially withdrawn from the race to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, according to multiple reports.
The highly-rated 24-year-old had been on the Gunners’ radar for over a year, but the North London club has now opted to focus on other areas of the squad ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
Garcia, who has a €25 million (£21 million) release clause, was previously seen as a potential long-term challenger to Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper David Raya. The Spaniard impressed during the 2024/25 La Liga season, earning widespread praise for his assured performances, quick reflexes, and composure with the ball at his feet. He kept eight clean sheets, attracting interest from top European clubs including Manchester United, Newcastle, and Barcelona.
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Despite ongoing links since last summer, Arsenal have decided not to pursue the Espanyol shot-stopper, largely due to their confidence in Raya, who has won back-to-back Premier League Golden Glove awards. JournalistCarlos Monfort reported on June 2 that the club sees no immediate need to spend heavily on a secondary goalkeeper.
Joan Garcia
Joan Garcia (Image credit: Getty Images)
Barcelona are now emerging as the frontrunners to sign Garcia and are reportedly prepared to activate his release clause. The Catalan giants view him as a possible future successor or competitor to Marc-André ter Stegen and former Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny.
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Arsenal’s decision to pull out of the race aligns with their evolving transfer priorities under manager Mikel Arteta and new sporting director Andrea Berta. Rather than investing in the goalkeeping department, the club is now turning its attention to reinforcing the attack. RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, and Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané are among the names strongly linked to the Emirates this summer.
While some fans may be disappointed by the club’s stance on Garcia, the move reflects Arsenal’s strategic approach to the transfer window. With Raya firmly established and young talents like Karl Hein and Tommy Setford progressing through the ranks, the Gunners are redirecting resources to boost their attacking threat in a bid to mount a serious Premier League title challenge next season.
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