Edu will make another move for the £25million-rated Spaniard despite being rejected in the summer

Arsenal are refusing to take no for an answer in their quest to sign Joan Garcia, with a report claiming there will be a renewed attempt to sign the £25million star in 2025 at Edu’s insistence.

Arsenal pushed to sack Aaron Ramsdale in the summer and eventually found a buyer in Southampton. Ramsdale joined the Saints for an initial £18m, which could rise to £25m via add-ons.

Reliable backup from David Raya was needed, prompting the Gunners to target Espanyol stopper Joan Garcia.

Despite offering 20 million euros and verbally agreeing personal terms with the goalkeeper, Espanyol held out for Garcia’s full release clause of 30 million euros.

With time running out, Arsenal withdrew and moved for Bournemouth veteran Neto. The 35-year-old soon arrived on loan for a season.

But according to a new update from TBR FootballArsenal and Edu want to return for Garcia sometime in 2025.

Garcia is being re-drafted by the Gunners, who have no intention of extending Neto’s stay beyond one season.

Arsenal can secure a release clause discount

A recent report from Mundo Deportivo claimed Garcia’s release clause fell from €30 million to €25 million at the end of the summer period.

The reduced rate will remain in force until halfway through the coming winter period on January 16.

As such, Arsenal reportedly have the chance to sign Garcia for a fee of €5m below the base clause amount if they make their move early in January.

Another factor to consider is Mundo Deportivos claim that Garcia’s clause will increase by five million euros if he is called up to the Spanish national team during the November international break.

If Arsenal were to make a second attempt to sign Garcia, they would have to convince the Espanyol starter to take on a bench role behind Raya at the Emirates. But with Garcia having agreed personal terms with Arsenal this summer, that shouldn’t be a problem.

If Arsenal find the signing of Garcia too expensive for the second time, then young Aston Villa stopper Oliwier Zych is the choice. an alternative target in their sights. Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson was also mentioned TBR Football.

Latest Arsenal news – Hato competition / Van Dijk about Saliba

In other news, Arsenal now face stiff competition from Liverpool for long-standing transfer target Jorrel Hato.

The Reds are looking for a successor for Andy Robertson and the Ajax star is now that on Liverpool’s radar after several reconnaissance missions.

Elsewhere, Virgil van Dijk has stated that at the age of 23 he was “nowhere near” the player William Saliba he is now at that age. Yet Van Dijk was winning league titles at the age of 23.

Finally, Gunners legend Patrick Vieira has urged Arsenal to do so Keep an eye on Aston Villa’s Jhon Duran as the final piece of their puzzle.

Duran has scored a remarkable eight goals in just 527 minutes this season – a ratio of one goal every 66 minutes.

Who is Joan Garcia – Everything you need to know

Garcia was born in Sallent de Llobregat, Spain, in May 2001 and spent most of his youth career at CF Damm and CE Manresa in Catalonia.

He joined Espanyol in 2016 and worked his way through the academy before making his first-team debut in a 3-2 win over SD Solares-Medio Cudeyo in the Copa del Rey in December 2021.

But the goalkeeper mainly acted as a back-up to Fernando Pacheco and made only nine appearances in all competitions in the following two years.

He became the first-choice goalkeeper in March 2024 following an injury to Pacheco, keeping eight clean sheets and conceding just seven goals in 14 games in the Segunda Division.

The 23-year-old kept three more clean sheets in the play-offs as Espanyol were promoted to La Liga and went on to win gold at the Paris Olympics, although he was an unused substitute for Spain at the tournament.

At 6ft 11in tall, Garcia has been likened to Arsenal’s David Raya as he commands his area and is quick off his line to claim crosses. He also feels comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing Espanyol to play out from the back.

“We are dealing with a great goalkeeper, but we are also dealing with a great person,” Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza said. “His behavior, his poise, his harmony and his tone… for me he is in the top 10. That is what I will take from him.”