Arsenal have already agreed personal terms with Joan Garcia for the goalkeeper’s transfer, should Aaron Ramsdale leave this summer.
In the past 24 hours, talk of Aaron Ramsdale’s departure from Arsenal has grown in light of the news that Wolverhampton Wanderers are in negotiations to sign him.
Though that deal is far off, Arsenal are already prepared for Ramsdale’s exit, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that the Gunners have reached a verbal agreement with Joan Garcia on personal terms.
Romano writes that Garcia would be the priority target to replace Ramsdale, should the English goalkeeper leave in the final days of the window.
David Ornstein has also confirmed that Arsenal have targeted Garcia as a possible replacement for Ramsdale, if he leaves.
Whilst Espanyol are aware of Arsenal’s interest, Romano writes that there’s no official bid for them to respond to at this stage, and it’s unlikely there will be one until Ramsdale’s situation is further down the line.
Reports in Spain suggest that deal may not be so easy to do, with Anna Cordovilla reporting for Mundo Deportivo that Espanyol will only let Garcia leave for his €30m (£25.6m) release clause.
Previous reports suggested the Gunners were hoping to sign Garcia for around €15m (£12.9m) or less.
Garcia made 21 appearances for Espanyol last season, keeping 12 clean sheets. He then went on to link up with the Spanish Olympic team, winning gold, though he didn’t make an appearance at the tournament.