Arsenal may have to trigger €30m release clause for transfer to replace fan-favourite

Arsenal are reportedly eyeing up a potential transfer swoop for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia as their replacement for Aaron Ramsdale.

The 23-year-old Spanish shot-stopper looks like a decent talent who could be a strong backup option behind David Raya, though it seems he won’t come cheap.

Espanyol have a €30m release clause for Garcia, and it seems Arsenal would have to pay that in order to get a deal done, according to Relevo.

That seems like a lot to pay for a backup, especially as it’s not yet clear if the Gunners will even be able to secure a fee for Ramsdale.

As Fabrizio Romano told CaughtOffside earlier today for his Daily Briefing column, Arsenal have so far rejected loan offers for Ramsdale as they hope to hold out for a permanent sale.

Romano reported that Ramsdale is wanted by Wolves and Bournemouth, so it will be interesting to see if these clubs improve their offers for the England international.

If not, one imagines Arsenal may have to abandon their pursuit of Garcia unless Espanyol are willing to significantly lower their demands.

Arsenal have had a large turnover of goalkeepers under Mikel Arteta, with Ramsdale initially coming in to replace Bernd Leno, but not lasting that long before Raya replaced him, while there has also been the arrival and departure of backup ‘keeper Matt Turner.