It is always disappointing for any player to see a move to a bonafide European giant – Arsenal, for instance – fail to materialise.
Especially when you have already given the switch the green light.
HITC understands that Joan Garcia had agreed terms with Premier League powerhouses Arsenal, having been lined up by The Gunners as a replacement for the Southampton-bound Aaron Ramsdale.
But agreeing terms with the player himself was the easy bit.
Garcia has a £25 million release clause in his Espanyol contract. And Arsenal had little interest in stumping up such a fee for a man who would likely inherit a benchwarming role from the departed Ramsdale, with David Raya firmly established as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The Gunners have now shifted their focus to a far more financially sensible option in AFC Bournemouth captain Norberto Neto.
Arsenal shift from Joan Garcia to Bournemouth’s Neto
Formerly of Valencia, Fiorentina, Juventus, Barcelona and the Brazil national team, 35-year-old Neto is due to arrive on loan.
As for Garcia, Espanyol coach Manolo Gonzalez is understandably delighted to retain a shot-stopper he feels is the envy of many other La Liga clubs.
“I deal with Joan the same as every day. I speak to everyone, not especially to him on this subject,” Gonzalez tells Mundo Deportivo. “In principle, I’m happy.
“Joan is a value for the club, he comes out of the academy and we see the performance and the level he has every day. It’s a position I can be very calm about because Espanyol have three top goalkeepers.
“It’s difficult for teams in the league to match the level we have in goal.”
Gonzalez also feels that Garcia will not be too affected by his aborted switch to North London.
At just 23 years of age, the former Spain Under 21 glovesman has so many years at the top level ahead of him. And, should he continue to develop at his current rate, there will be no shortage of high-profile clubs batting their eyelashes in his direction in the near future.
“I want to have the best players possible, and for Joan to be here,” adds the 45-year-old tactician. “(Questions about a potential sale) are things that I cannot answer. It is an economic and club issue, aspects that I cannot control.
“What I want is for the best to be here, and Joan is a great goalkeeper.”
Brazil international set to replace Aaron Ramsdale
“I don’t think (not moving to Arsenal will affect him). He’s a fairly balanced and mature lad. He’s already been through some tough times and now he’s at a very good level of confidence and mentality.
“He’s playing for his club, where he’s always wanted to play. He’ll always be available. Right now, he’s prepared and built to do well in any game.”
Garcia was part of the Spain team which secured gold at the Paris Olympics this summer. He also helped Espanyol to promotion back to La Liga, and kept a clean sheet against Atletico Madrid’s expensively-assembled new-look frontline in midweek.
As for Neto, the veteran leaves Bournemouth with the blessing of Andoni Iroala.
The Cherries boss feels that – with Chelsea misfit Kepa Arrizabalaga joining Mark Travers and Will Dennis at the Vitality Stadium – he is still stacked with talented goalkeeping options.
“”If it happens, I think it would be a very good option for him,” Iraola says via Bournemouth’s official YouTube channel. “And we’re in a really good place with Kepa. (Mark) Travers is staying as well.
“The main idea of the club is to have three keepers.”
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