Arsenal receive clear transfer message from Espanyol over Joan Garcia

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Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez has provided a significant clue regarding the future of Arsenal target Joan Garcia.

The 23-year-old has had another standout campaign in La Liga and is now viewed as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe.

Arsenal tried to bring Garcia in last summer but opted not to meet his £23.4 million release clause.

Instead, the club brought in the seasoned Neto on a temporary deal from Bournemouth, although the Brazilian has played very little and seems unlikely to remain at the club permanently.

David Raya continues as Arsenal’s clear first-choice goalkeeper, but with young prospects Jack Porter and Tommy Setford still not ready to step up, Mikel Arteta is expected to want to recruit an experienced second-choice keeper who can offer competition this summer.

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Espanyol likely won’t block Garcia’s exit if he decides he wants a new opportunity, and Gonzalez has acknowledged there’s no certainty he’ll remain after this season.

‘I can’t guarantee that he’ll stay at Espanyol next season,’ he said. ‘You’re all seeing the level he’s at, which is what it is.’

**Predicting Arsenal’s summer signings**

**Goalkeeper:** Since Neto’s loan is unlikely to be made permanent, Arsenal will almost certainly pursue a new backup goalkeeper to challenge David Raya, who has faced limited competition this season. While Jack Porter and Tommy Setford are promising, they aren’t ready for promotion—another reason why Mikel Arteta has his sights on Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.

**Defenders:** Though it may be hard for fans to accept, departures of Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Jakub Kiwior seem likely, creating a need for a new left-sided defender. This is further emphasized by injury concerns surrounding Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori.

**Midfield:** Nearly two years after Granit Xhaka left, Arsenal still hasn’t found the same midfield equilibrium once shared with Thomas Partey. Despite spending £160 million on Declan Rice and Kai Havertz, the plan to use Havertz in midfield was quickly abandoned. Arteta still seems to think Rice can play a more attacking role, and the expected arrival of Martin Zubimendi—whose transfer to Arsenal feels inevitable—may finally resolve the issue.

**Forwards:** Attack reinforcements have been scarce recently, and Arsenal’s heavy dependence on Bukayo Saka resulted in the type of injury many feared was coming. Signing a new winger—preferably one who can play on either side—should be a top priority. Nico Williams remains a long-term objective, while Victor Gyokeres looks like the most realistic and ready-to-go solution to the ongoing striker dilemma under Arteta.

**James Goldman | Metro Sports Editor**

**RCD Espanyol vs Getafe CF – La Liga EA Sports**

Joan Garcia is reportedly being considered by Arsenal as a summer signing (Picture: Getty)

Garcia has stated in the past that he believes a summer departure would suit all involved and has now added that, if he does leave Espanyol, it will be done in ‘the best way’.

‘At the moment I’m not thinking about that [future], but you never know. If it happens, let it happen in the best way,’ he told Estadio Deportivo.

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