Arsenal are not wasting any time in this summer transfer window.
Indeed, the summer window isn’t even close to being open yet, but the Gunners already appear to have some deals in the pipeline.
Martin Zubimendi is set to join Arsenal very soon, while Nico Williams is reportedly set for the Emirates too.
On top of that, Arsenal are also keen on Alexander Isak as we head into the summer.
Now, according to The Independent, Arsenal are close to wrapping up another transfer.
Arsenal close to signing Joan Garcia
According to The Independent, Arsenal are close to signing Joan Garcia from Espanyol.
Garcia was strongly linked with Arsenal last summer and has been valued at £25m.
Arsenal couldn’t get a deal done last summer and instead signed Neto on loan from Bournemouth.
Neto has failed to impress at Arsenal, and now, the Gunners are ready to bring Garcia in at the second attempt.
Arsenal need a new backup goalkeeper after selling Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton last summer, and Garcia could be just what the doctor ordered.
Joan Garcia stats this season
Garcia looks like he could become an Arsenal player very soon, but a lot of Gunners fans may not know too much about this young man.
Indeed, Arsenal fans would be forgiven for not watching much of Espanyol this season.
Garcia’s stats tell an interesting story about his style of play, particularly when compared to David Raya.
| David Raya | Joan Garcia | |
| 35 | Games | 34 |
| 31 | Goals conceded | 44 |
| 74% | Save percentage | 77% |
| -0.8 | Expected goals prevented | 9.3 |
| 75% | Pass completion rate | 71% |
| 38% | Long pass completion rate | 47% |
Garcia actually has a better save percentage than Raya, while in terms of expected goals prevented, he’s outperforming his fellow countryman by some distance.
Raya does outdo Garcia in terms of pass completion, but when it comes to long ball distribution, Garcia, again comes out on top.
Who knows? Perhaps this could, once again, be a case of Mikel Arteta making a ruthless decision in the goalkeeper position and maybe, just maybe, Garcia could be coming in as Raya’s replacement rather than his understudy.
