Arsenal are now ‘in pole position’ to sign 23yo Spanish star before Barcelona – report | OneFootball

Arsenal are likely to make multiple changes to the squad during the summer transfer window.

A new goalkeeper could be one of the main targets. Neto is likely to return to Bournemouth after his season-long loan deal.

The club had their sights on signing Espanyol’s Joan Garcia last summer, but the La Liga outfit were reluctant to negotiate.

With less than 48 hours before the transfer deadline, the newly-promoted club refused to sell him for less than his £25 million release clause.

Arsenal had a £17m offer rejected by Espanyol, but the Spanish side could reportedly accept a similar fee at the end of the current campaign.

Cadena SER now claim that Barcelona have asked about the player’s release clause but could be beaten to his services by Mikel Arteta’s side.

The Blaugrana plan to keep Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny next season, and Garcia could be seen as a third-choice goalkeeper.

Arsenal are ‘in pole position’ to sign the 23-year-old as a back-up for compatriot David Raya.

Gunners set to revive interest in Garcia

Garcia played a big part in Espanyol’s La Liga promotion during the back end of last season.

He has continued his rich vein of form this campaign with several stand-out performances.

The shot-stopper has made almost four saves per game with a success rate of 72 percent.

He has also excelled with his recoveries, long-ball distribution and positioning in the box.

Arsenal view him as a perfect understudy for Raya, but the big question is whether he would accept the position.

Garcia agreed personal terms with the Gunners last year, but the scenario could be different amid his progress.

Bayer Leverkusen are also interested in signing the Spaniard and could offer him the number one role next term.

This could complicate a potential deal for the Gunners.

Raya is unlikely to be displaced from his starting spot, considering his exceptional form this term.

The Spain international recently made three world-class saves against Manchester United.

Stats from Fotmob.com