Arsenal ‘willing’ to ‘pay clause’ to ‘finalise transfer ASAP’ with ‘chosen’ Arteta target to fix ‘key issue’

According to reports, Arsenal are looking to wrap up a summer signing ‘as soon as possible’ and will ‘pay the clause’ to finalise the deal.

The Gunners are set to finish second in the Premier League for the third-consecutive season, so they are likely to be busy in this summer’s transfer market to boost their chances of winning the title in 2025/26.

Mikel Arteta‘s side have been ravaged by injuries and their backup options have not stepped up as they sit eleven points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool with seven games remaining.

Arsenal are going to be busy during this summer’s transfer window with signings required in various positions. Their priorities will be a new striker and winger amid reports linking them with Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen and Nico Williams.

However, Arsenal could also look to strengthen at the other end of the pitch and are linked with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.

READ: Incredible Arsenal transfer exclusive: they would quite like to sign three known targets!

Arteta made the ruthless decision to replace Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya ahead of the 2023/24 campaign and the Spain international has justified this call. He is ranked as this season’s tenth-best Premier League goalkeeper.

Ramsdale left to join Southampton last summer to play regularly, while Arsenal brought in Neto from AFC Bournemouth on loan to be Raya’s backup.

Reports of Arsenal’s interest in Garcia suggest they won’t make Neto’s move permanent, though.

23-year-old Garcia is enjoying a breakout season for Espanyol in La Liga and he’s on the brink of breaking into Spain’s senior squad.

MORE ARSENAL COVERAGE ON F365…
👉 Arsenal ‘working on’ triple transfer in ‘blockbuster £200m spree’ as Berta settles in
👉 ‘I think it’s wrong’ – Arsenal legend Ian Wright slams Gunners star after Everton draw
👉 Arsenal: Balague names £216m quartet Berta ‘will try to get’ as three reasons for appointment revealed

A report in Spain claims Arteta ‘wants to bring in top-level competition’ for the goalkeeping department, with Garcia ‘already chosen’ as his preferred target.

The Gunners are reportedly ‘willing’ to ‘pay his clause’ to sign him this summer to fix one ‘key issue’ at the Emirates.

‘Sources close to Arsenal claim the club is willing to pay the buyout clause, estimated at around €20 million, to secure a talent they consider strategic in the medium to long term.

‘Interest from Serie A and Bundesliga teams has created urgency in London to finalize his transfer as soon as possible.

‘Goalkeeping management has been a key issue in Arsenal’s recent development. With David Raya’s performances solidified, Arteta is looking to maintain a high level of demand within the group, avoiding comfort zones.

‘Joan Garcia was initially expected to arrive to compete, but with the real prospect of fighting for the position on equal terms.’

‘Espanyol is viewing the deal with resignation. They will accept the exit if the release clause is paid, aware that retaining a player with such potential would be an impossible task in the face of offers of this calibre’.