Arsenal have submitted their opening bid for the signing of Joan Garcia from Espanyol, but the Spanish club are holding out for more.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal have submitted a €20m (£16.8m) bid for Joan Garcia, including add-ons, with agents Juanma Lopez and Andy Bara bringing the proposal to Espanyol.

Yet for now, Espanyol are reportedly continuing to insist that the Gunners pay the goalkeeper’s €30m (£25.2m) release clause.

Garcia himself has already agreed terms with Arsenal, and he wants the transfer. It’s just a matter of getting the clubs to agree.

Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz has confirmed that Arsenal and Espanyol are now in negotiations for the transfer of the goalkeeper, who is seemingly the Gunners’ replacement for the departing Aaron Ramsdale.

David Ornstein reported this morning that Ramsdale is undergoing a medical at Southampton ahead of a permanent transfer, with the Gunners receiving £18m upfront, another £1m if the Saints avoid relegation, and a further £6m in other add-ons – totalling £25m.

Ornstein added that Arsenal would now advance their efforts to sign Garcia.

Garcia has made three appearances for Espanyol this season, conceding just two goals and keeping a clean sheet in his most recent game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

The goalkeeper made seven saves in the match, preventing 1.36 expected goals.

The move looks like a good one, and Garcia is keen, but it’s up to Espanyol and Arsenal now.