Arsenal are in the battle to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García in the summer window.
The Gunners made an offer for the 23-year-old towards the end of last summer and the La Liga side rejected it.
Friday’s edition of AS states Arsenal offered €12m plus bonuses, to take it to €20m, in August. It’s made clear it was a ‘firm offer’ from the Gunners.
The Spain U23 international has kept four clean sheets and conceded 39 goals from 27 games this season. His impressive performances have seen several clubs, including Mikel Arteta’s side and Atlético Madrid take notice.
García is represented by former Los Rojiblancos defender Juanma López. This may give the Madrid club an advantage to sign the stopper who is expected to change clubs after this season.
There are other clubs, ‘especially Arsenal’, knocking on his door. The Spaniard has attracted interest from several European clubs including Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayer Leverkusen. AS state ‘half of Europe’ are keen, but the Gunners are in the lead.
The newspaper states Arsenal are ‘ahead’ in the signing race, without explaining why they are in the lead.
García has a €25m clause which will rise to €30m in the last 15 days of the window. It will drop to €15m if Espanyol [currently 15th in La Liga] are relegated. AS claim the Spanish club will need at least €15m to balance their books. These are affordable for Arsenal.
He gave an interview to Pizarritas and Friday’s Sport have relayed his comments.
On the transfer links, he said: “Everyone likes to be spoken well of, to be talked about in the national team, but I take it as a prize, not as an obligation.
“I continue on my way, working and with the objective of achieving permanence with Espanyol. After that, whatever good things come my way, I welcome them.”
