May 16th 2025.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Arsenal fans are eagerly anticipating the moves that will be made by their team's new sporting director, Andrea Berta. Alongside manager Mikel Arteta, Berta will be responsible for orchestrating the Gunners' transfer dealings this year. However, it seems that their plans to sign Espanyol's talented goalkeeper, Joan Garcia, may need to be reconsidered if a more cost-effective option can be found.
Last summer, Arsenal had been in talks with Espanyol regarding a potential transfer for Garcia, who is considered one of the most highly rated goalkeepers in Europe. However, negotiations fell through when the newly promoted club refused to budge on their €25m release clause. Instead, the Gunners opted to sign Neto on loan from Bournemouth. Since then, David Raya has established himself as Arteta's first choice keeper and was even awarded the coveted No.1 squad number this week. But with Neto set to return to Bournemouth and the promising young keepers Jack Porter and Tommy Setford not quite ready for a promotion, Arsenal will once again be on the lookout for a goalkeeper this summer.
For Arsenal fans who want to stay updated on the latest news about their club, they can sign up for Metro's Football Newsletter and receive personalised updates straight to their inbox every morning. But for those hoping to see Garcia in an Arsenal shirt next season, time is of the essence. The 24-year-old's release clause will increase by an additional €5m if he is called up by Spain for their upcoming Nations League fixtures. And if Arsenal leave it until the last two weeks of the transfer window, they will have to pay a whopping €30m to secure his services, according to reports from The Athletic.
So why exactly do Arsenal want to sign Garcia? It may seem like an odd choice given their current goalkeeper situation, with Raya performing exceptionally well this season and putting to rest any doubts about Arteta's decision to let go of Aaron Ramsdale. But at just 30 years old, Raya still has many more years at the top level and is arguably entering his prime. However, it's hard to ignore Garcia's meteoric rise and the potential for greatness that he possesses. He has all the qualities required to be a top modern-day goalkeeper for a club like Arsenal. And if the Gunners don't move quickly, Garcia could end up at a rival club in either the Premier League or Spain.
Arteta has been fortunate to have Raya as a consistent presence in goal this season, especially given Neto's uninspiring performance in a Champions League dead rubber. But bringing in a world-class goalkeeper like Garcia could potentially create more problems than it solves. However, Arteta knows that players of this caliber don't come around often, and he may not be willing to let this opportunity slip away.
Of course, Arteta has his own targets in mind for the summer transfer window. But there may need to be some compromise involved, especially after his insistence on signing Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino last year left Arsenal short on attacking options this season. Berta may push for a more suitable market opportunity to arise and divert funds to address other pressing issues within the team.
It's also been reported that Berta prefers a move for Viktor Gyokeres over Benjamin Sesko, another player Arsenal came close to signing last year. While Sesko has potential, he is not yet the finished product, and at 27, Gyokeres is in his prime and currently in top form. Plus, he may come at a more affordable price for the Gunners.
As the summer approaches, Arsenal fans will be keeping a close eye on Berta's and Arteta's transfer dealings, hoping that they can bring in the right players to improve their team and compete for titles once again.
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