Arsenal eye £21m Spanish goalkeeper as replacement for Aaron Ramsdale - report

Arsenal will try to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia if they sell Aaron Ramsdale this summer, according to a report.

Ramsdale was relegated to the Gunners' second-choice goalkeeper last season following the arrival of David Raya on an initial loan from Brentford. That move has since been made permanent and left the England international's future in doubt.

Though Chelsea and Newcastle United have both been linked with Ramsdale over the last few months, The Athletic report there hasn't been much recent change on his situation.

Nevertheless, in the event that Ramsdale does leave the Emirates Stadium this summer, Arsenal would like to bring in 23-year-old Garcia as his replacement.

Garcia has played just 46 games of senior football in his career and only took the starting spot at Espanyol midway through their promotion-winning 2023/24 campaign, coming in for their final 14 regular season fixtures plus four play-off games. Across those 18 matches, Garcia recorded an impressive 11 clean sheets.

He has quickly become a hot topic of conversation in Spanish football and will represent Spain at this summer's Olympics.

Garcia, like Raya, is renowned for his ability on the ball, which would theoretically make him a more appropriate backup option than Ramsdale.

Espanyol are said to have written a £21m release clause into Garcia's contract, which expires in 2028. Arsenal's total outlay on Raya reached £30m - a £3m loan fee plus £27m for a permanent deal - while Ramsdale set the Gunners back an initial £24m when he joined from Sheffield United in 2021.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could be sending one player to Spain as part of their early summer transfer business. Belgian midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga, who spent last season on loan at Luton Town, is wanted by Sevilla, with the Gunners hopeful of agreeing a permanent sale.

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