Arsenal’s reported goalkeeping target Joan Garcia is set to have his release clause increased according to reports.
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have been one of the more quieter sides in the Premier League this summer but the Gunners achieved 89 points last campaign.
Arsenal confirmed the signing of Riccardo Calafiori and HITC understands that Mikel Arteta wants Mikel Merino in the building before the opening game of the Premier League season this weekend.
However, the potential signing of Merino wouldn’t be the final signing for the Gunners with HITC reporting that Arsenal are keen on Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer.
Joan Garcia release clause about to increase
A new goalkeeper has been targeted by Arsenal as the future of the Gunners’ current number-two Aaron Ramsdale remains up in the air.
HITC has reported that Arsenal are prepared to allow Ramsdale to leave the club on loan with Southampton one of the sides understood to be keen on the Englishman.
Newcastle were previously keen on Ramsdale but the Magpies signed Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for around £20 million earlier this summer.
As for the Gunners, Garcia is the man that Arteta wants to replace Ramsdale. However, according to a report from Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, the goalkeeper’s release clause is set to increase.
Mundo says it’s not surprising his ‘unstoppable growth’ has attracted interest from other clubs. The Spain U23 international’s deal lasts until 2028 and includes a €25 million (£21 million) release clause.
Espanyol have reportedly stressed multiple times that the Spanish goalkeeper is not for sale this summer. On top of this, Garcia’s release clause is set to increase to €30 million (£26 million) on the 15th of August.
Garcia set to cost Arsenal more
Whilst Garcia’s release clause increase would be a minimal difference to the price that the Gunners would pay, it could be key.
It is unclear what Arsenal’s budget is this summer with only Emile Smith Rowe, who departed to Fulham, leaving the club for big money this summer.
Arsenal may struggle to reach Espanyol’s new release clause for the Spanish goalkeeper without the sale of Ramsdale. And if the Englishman only departs on loan, Arsenal may struggle to pay the fee for the Spaniard.
The goalkeeper started to enjoy regular minutes towards the end of last season. He kept eight clean sheets and conceded seven goals from 14 league games and was one of the key players in helping his side secure promotion to La Liga. Garcia has previously been compared to Iker Casillas.
“It’s hard for me to find someone who stops that much,” former Barcelona keeper Oier Olazabal told Relevo. “He is very complete. Football requires you to be good at everything.
“He has the reflexes of Casillas and the aerial game of an English or Premier League goalkeeper,” he stated of Garcia earlier this year.
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