Arsenal’s pursuit of Joan Garcia may finally reach a conclusion this summer, with Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza hinting that the club could soften their stance on the goalkeeper’s €30 million release clause.
Last August, Arsenal lodged a €25 million (£20.8m) bid for Garcia, but Espanyol refused to negotiate below his full clause, forcing the Gunners to abandon their pursuit.
With the club unwilling to meet the financial demands of a buyout clause in Spain, which requires the entire fee to be paid upfront, Arsenal instead turned to Bournemouth’s Neto on loan as a short-term fix.
However, with Neto set to return to his parent club in July, Arsenal are expected to return for Garcia, and this time, Espanyol may be willing to compromise.
Speaking to Pericos Marca, Garagarza admitted that while Espanyol would not consider a low offer, the club would not necessarily demand the full release clause.
“Clause or nothing? No. In the summer market, with Arsenal’s reaching out again last week, there really has to an agreement. But if you get an offer on June 14 that is not the clause but is close in fixed and variable terms, Espanyol is not going to say no. We can’t say no. If a club comes with €8m for Joan Garcia, that’s a bad sale, 100%,” Garagarza said, in quotes carried by Mundo Deportivo.
Espanyol’s financial struggles and a lack of investment over recent transfer windows make it increasingly likely they will need to cash in. The club have not been able to purchase a player for two seasons, relying on free transfers and loans, while their ongoing relegation battle further complicates their ability to hold on to key assets.
Earlier this month, Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reported that Arsenal expect to finalise the signing of Garcia in the summer transfer window. According to the report, Arsenal remain confident of securing the deal after a failed move last summer, with James McNicholas of The Athletic further revealing that Arsenal held discussions with Garcia’s representatives when they travelled to Spain for their Champions League clash against Girona.
Garcia, who has made 24 appearances this season, remains one of La Liga’s busiest goalkeepers, leading the league in saves (89) while overperforming against expected goals conceded. However, Espanyol’s poor defensive record – just three clean sheets and 36 goals conceded – has left them hovering precariously above the drop zone, just one point clear of the bottom three.
A potential Espanyol relegation would likely accelerate negotiations, but even if they survive, Arsenal now have reason to believe that a structured deal below the €30m clause could finally get the transfer over the line.