'From what we hear': 23-year-old star 'open to joining' Arsenal, Mikel Arteta 'wants him' - Journalist
Arsenal could look to sign a new deputy goalkeeper when the transfer window reopens this summer.
The Gunners recruited Neto on a season-long loan from Bournemouth last summer, but he has made just one competitive appearance in the Champions League.
Manager Mikel Arteta may want an upgrade on the Brazilian, and journalist David Ornstein has confirmed that the Gunners remain interested in signing Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.
In a Q&A session on The Athletic, Ornstein revealed that Arsenal have done plenty of groundwork on the shot-stopper, and Arteta ‘wants him’ as a backup for goalkeeper David Raya.
He added that Garcia would be ‘open to joining’ the London giants this summer.
Ornstein said: “Yes, Arsenal have done a lot of work on Joan Garcia because Mikel Arteta wants him as number two to David Raya and from what we hear Joan Garcia would be open to joining.
“But I don’t know of anything being closed and until that happens. It’s still open.”
Arsenal must secure Garcia’s signature ahead of the competition
The Gunners agreed personal terms with the 23-year-old last summer, but a deal did not materialise.
The club did not make a formal approach until Aaron Ramsdale was sold to Southampton on August 28.
Their £17 million proposal was declined. Espanyol wanted Garcia’s £25 million release clause in full.
The Spaniard’s buy-out clause will be reduced to £21m in July and it has been reported that Espanyol could be willing to negotiate. The La Liga outfit could accept £17m for an early summer deal.
In our view, Arsenal must be proactive to win the race for his signature. Garcia has opened the door for a transfer, but the likes of Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen are keeping tabs.
The Red Devils have sounded out their interest in the shot-stopper. Leverkusen are also keen on his services and could make him their number one ahead of Lukas Hradecky next term.
Hence, the Gunners can’t be complacent in their pursuit and must secure an early transfer.
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