Mikel Arteta still wants 23yo Arsenal had 2 bids rejected for | OneFootball

Arsenal remain interested in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia despite their failed summer pursuit.

According to Marca, Mikel Arteta still sees the 23-year-old as a key figure for his plans at the Emirates, and the Gunners are expected to monitor Garcia’s progress closely as the January window approaches.

Joan Garcia playing for Espanyol (Photo via Garcia on Instagram)

This summer, Arsenal made an offer of €20 million for Garcia before following it up with an even larger one on deadline day, but Espanyol were adamant that they would not consider anything below the €30 million release clause.

The club was keenly aware of Garcia’s value and importance, particularly given his impact on their return to La Liga. The Spaniard played a decisive role last season, stepping in for Fernando Pacheco midway through the campaign and solidifying his position as the first-choice goalkeeper under coach Manolo González.

This season, Garcia has continued to impress, starting in all 11 La Liga matches for Espanyol, who have conceded 19 goals thus far.

MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol saves a shot from Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Garcia’s performances have not gone unnoticed by top clubs, especially Arsenal. He has shown a strong command in goal, often making crucial saves as Espanyol’s defence tends to allow rivals too much space.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Garcia was among the more intense transfer sagas of the last window, driven in part by their need for a young, reliable replacement following Aaron Ramsdale’s move to Southampton.

Arsenal ultimately settled for Neto on loan from Bournemouth as a short-term solution, but the 35-year-old is not considered a long-term answer for the club’s goalkeeping requirements.

Espanyol, wary of losing Garcia in January, plan to increase his release clause from €25 million to €30 million from 16 January. This move coincides with the final days of the winter transfer window, making it more difficult for interested clubs to strike a deal without giving Espanyol ample time or cash to find a replacement.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE: Joan Garcia of Team Spain warms up prior to the Men’s group C match between Dominican Republic and Spain during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on July 27, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Furthermore, should Garcia earn a call-up from the Spanish national team, his release clause would rise even further to €35 million.

The Catalan goalkeeper’s contract with Espanyol runs until June 2028.

Espanyol’s reluctance to negotiate highlights how much they value Garcia, especially as he continues to play a pivotal role in their defensive structure. Rested only in the recent Copa del Rey match against San Tirso, Garcia is Espanyol’s undisputed starter, and his performances have helped stabilise a defence that has at times been shaky.

His commanding presence and impressive save record under pressure have made him a standout for Espanyol.

For Arsenal, the situation is pressing. If Arteta wants Garcia as the long-term answer between the sticks, the upcoming January window might be the best chance to secure him before the release clause spikes again.