Arsenal reach Joan Garcia agreement but key factor is preventing deal from being completed

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that Arsenal have reached an agreement to complete their second signing of the summer under Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are hoping to make key signings in the final few days of the summer transfer window as the Gunners look to win their first Premier League title under Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners completed the signing of Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori last month and Arsenal kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Wolves at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are progressing in talks for Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino and it now appears the Gunners have struck an agreement with another player this summer over a move.

Arsenal strike Joan Garcia agreement

HITC understands that Arsenal have an agreement in place with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia – who is ready to move to England and serve as David Raya’s number two.

However, despite the Gunners reaching an agreement with Garcia, sources have told HITC that the agreement cannot be reached with Espanyol until Aaron Ramsdale’s future is resolved.

Ramsdale has been approached by Wolves, but Southampton and Nottingham Forest are also keen on a potential loan deal – HITC revealed that Arsenal were ready to accept a loan move for Ramsdale.

Newcastle United were previously interested in Ramsdale but Eddie Howe’s side instead signed Nottingham Forest’s Odysseas Vlachodimos for £20 million.

Another side that hold an interest in Ramsdale is his former club Bournemouth but their priority is Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Liverpool are continuing to hold talks to finalise a deal with Valencia – which would see the Spanish club loan him to The Cherries.

Arsenal remain keen on bringing in Wojciech Szczesny

Were Mamardashvili to complete his move to Anfield this summer, the goalkeeper would not actually play for Liverpool until 2025 with the Georgian potentially spending time on the South Coast.

As for Arsenal’s pursuit of a backup goalkeeper, sources have told HITC that, even if the Gunners completed the signing of Joan Garcia this summer, they’d still be interested in Wojciech Szczesny.

Sources have told HITC that Arsenal would not rule him out coming on a third choice to provide real experience and him qualifying as a homegrown player also plays into him coming back.