Arsenal are reportedly facing transfer competition from LaLiga giants Barcelona for the signing of highly-rated Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer.
The Gunners were heavily linked with a move for Garcia last summer and had a €20million (£16.5m / $21m) offer rejected in the closing stages of the window as they looked for a backup for No.1 David Raya.
Arsenal ended up bringing in veteran stopper Neto on a season-long loan from Bournemouth but have kept tabs on Garcia’s development at Espanyol as they prepare a new offer at the end of the current campaign.
While Espanyol held firm on their valuation of the 23-year-old keeper last time around, they are somewhat resigned to losing one of their key players this time given that Garcia has a €25m (£20.7m) release clause in his existing contract.
Indeed, Garcia recently hinted at his potential departure from the club in the summer and said he will try, although he will try and make his exit happen in the ‘best way’ for the Spanish side.
Arsenal, however, are not expected to have a free run at Garcia’s signature, with reports in Spain suggesting that Catalan giants Barcelona are also plotting a move for the player.
Barca are reportedly looking to install a new first-choice keeper at Camp Nou with the Marc-Andre ter Stegen still out on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
