Arsenal transfer target 'rejects' Barcelona as true feelings clear after unexpected £25.2m twist

Arsenal transfer target 'rejects' Barcelona as true feelings clear after unexpected £25.2m twist

Latest Arsenal transfer news with a number of updates provided on the future of long-term target Joan Garcia

Arsenal have been handed a number of boosts in their expected transfer pursuit of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia. The Gunners were strongly linked to signing him last summer but a deal never materialised with Neto instead brought in on a season-long loan from Bournemouth.

With the experienced shot-stopper set for a return to the South coast, Arsenal need to find a permanent replacement for Aaron Ramsdale. football.london understands that Mikel Arteta also wants to bring in a striker, wide forward and defender.

Garcia appears to be the No.1 choice in between the stick but more impressive displays this season have resulted in several other clubs taking note. Newcastle United, Real Madrid, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Barcelona have all been linked with manager of the latter Hansi Flick briefly responding to those rumours.

“He’s a great keeper, but I don’t talk about players from other teams," he said over the weekend. "We have three great goalkeepers ourselves.”

Though Flick's refusal to comment was likely a ploy, it now looks as though he won't be joining Barcelona with Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto reporting that he does not want to sign for Barcelona and would much rather move to the Premier League.

His future was extremely uncertain in the lead up to Espanyol's final game of the season with relegation a real possibility, but a win over Las Palmas prevented that from happening. Had his side finished in the bottom three, it is said the release clause in his contract would've dropped from £21million (€25m) down to £12.6m (€15m).

The clause quite clearly is not a set fee as a call-up to the latest Spain squad would have seen that rise to £25.2m (€30m), however the 24-year-old was not included for their upcoming Nations League games.

Though a number of teams are in the race for his signature, it looks as though Arsenal will have the advantage with his reaction upon learning he would not be joining Arsenal last summer recently being revealed.

“It was with La Liga just underway and three days away from the deadline," Espanyol Sporting Director Fran Garagarza admitted.

“The look on his face during that conversation almost made me feel sorry for him; I saw him as if he were my son. He was told the time would come, and it will.”

While Arsenal still need to sign a back-up goalkeeper and groundwork for Garcia has already been completed, reports have suggested that new sporting director Andrea Berta is not entirely convinced it is a good use of funds.