Arsenal uncertainty over club transfer talks despite player agreement | OneFootball

Arsenal are yet to open negotiations with Espanyol for Joan Garcia, and it’s unclear what kind of stance the La Liga club will take for the goalkeeper.

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

Arsenal are clearly interested in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale this summer, and reports suggest the Gunners have already agreed personal terms for the transfer.

Yet since Ramsdale remains an Arsenal player, with no permanent bids on the table so far, the Gunners haven’t opened club-to-club talks with Espanyol.

As a result, there’s some uncertainty about how easy those club negotiations will be.

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

Marc Mosull reports for Relevo that Espanyol aren’t open to negotiation at all, insisting on the goalkeeper’s release clause of €30m (£25.5m).

The report quotes Espanyol boss Manolo Gonzalez, saying: “He will not leave unless it is irreversible, unless some club pays the clause. We want to have him here for a long time.”

Yet Fabrizio Romano seems more optimistic, reporting that from what he’s hearing, a club-to-club agreement between Arsenal and Espanyol isn’t going to be a problem, and the Gunners will be ready with an official bid as soon as Ramsdale leaves.

Previous reports suggested the Gunners were hoping to sign Garcia for around €15m (£12.9m) or less. Time will tell where the negotiation ends up.

BARCELONA, SPAIN: Joan Garcia (top right) among RCD Espanyol players wearing black t-shirts in protest against referees prior to the LaLiga Santander match between RCD Espanyol and UD Almeria at RCDE Stadium on June 04, 2023. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Garcia made 21 appearances for Espanyol last season, keeping 12 clean sheets. He then went on to link up with the Spanish Olympic team, winning gold, though he didn’t make an appearance at the tournament.