From Spain: Arsenal favourites to land 23yo star ahead of two PL clubs, terms previously agreed

Arsenal are leading Manchester United and Manchester City in the race to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, according to Sport.

The Gunners are long-term admirers of the 23-year-old, and they were initially interested in signing him as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale last summer.

A deal did not materialise due to Ramsdale’s late exit to Southampton. Espanyol were reluctant to negotiate on the price before the transfer deadline.

Arsenal made an offer worth £17 million for Garcia, but Espanyol wanted the goalkeeper’s £26m release clause to be triggered in full instead.

The Gunners remain keen on signing the Spaniard, and Sport claim that there is growing attention amid Garcia’s impressive progress this season.

Real Madrid have started monitoring him but the English clubs have shown the ‘most interest’.

United and City are among Garcia’s admirers, but the Gunners are ‘best placed’ and the ‘front-runner’ in the race to purchase the highly-rated star.

Arsenal need to move quickly to land Garcia

The Gunners agreed personal terms with the shot-stopper last summer, but a transfer did not materialise as the club were reluctant to spend over the odds.

Garcia has gone on to shine for Espanyol in La Liga. He has been brilliant with his reflexes and has made 3.8 saves per game with a 75 percent success rate.

He has also impressed with his long-ball distribution and penalty-saving skills. Garcia has likewise caught the eye with his ability to make regular high claims.

Garcia would be a perfect deputy to provide strong competition to David Raya, but Arsenal need to be proactive to prise him away ahead of other suitors.

United in particular have established contact with his agents. They could emerge as a lucrative destination if they qualify for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal can’t take things lightly and should push through an early deal.

Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has already acknowledged that a discount could be provided this summer.

Garcia’s release clause will stand at £21m at the start of the transfer window, but will increase to £26m for the final 15 days.

A slightly improvement on last summer’s bid (£17m) could be sufficient to purchase the Spaniard.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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