3 months ago
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Joan Garcia insists he is ‘very happy’ to remain at Espanyol, despite widespread rumours he has agreed personal terms with Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsdale, 26, is set for the exit door at the Emirates this summer and the Gunners have identified Garcia, 23, as their top target to replace the out-of-favour England international.
Wolves have asserted themselves as the frontrunners to sign Ramsdale on loan and the north London giants are prepared to pay majority of the ‘keeper’s wages next season to ensure he is shipped out and Garcia is brought in before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Garcia for some time and the club are confident the Espanyol shot-stopper fit the profile Mikel Arteta wishes to add to his squad to support and provide competition for David Raya.
Garcia, who won Olympic gold with Spain in the summer, has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Arsenal but the Premier League side are yet to launch a formal offer for his signature.
‘I am very calm,’ Garcia told reporters when asked about speculation linking him with Arsenal following Espanyol’s 1-0 defeat to Real Valladolid on Monday night.
‘I am a person who isolates himself from all this and I am focused on next Saturday’s game [against Real Sociedad].
‘In football, these things do not depend on oneself, but I am very happy here.’
Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo claim that both Girona and Liverpool are also keeping a close eye on Garcia’s situation and could scupper Arsenal’s bid to land the ‘keeper.
Liverpool are keen to strengthen in the goalkeeping department this summer and have, thus far, been unsuccessful in their attempts to agree a deal with Valencia for Giorgi Mamardashvili.
This has forced the Merseyside club to explore other avenues, which has led them to a potential last-ditch move for Garcia.
Garcia’s release clause increased from €25million (£21m) to €30million (£25.5m) just last week and this sum could rise by €5m (£4m) again should the player receive a call-up to the senior Spanish national team.
Last November, Garcia signed a contract extension with Espanyol which ties him to the La Liga outfit until the summer of 2028.
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