Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, according to a report.
Mikel Arteta's side are believed to be in the market for a new backup goalkeeper to provide support for first-choice star David Raya, as on-loan shot-stopper Neto will return to parent club Bournemouth.
Neto was considered as a stop-gap by the Gunners and they are now expected to find a permanent replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who was sold to Southampton almost 12 months ago.
One name who has been regularly linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium is 24-year-old Garcia, who has caught the eye of several European clubs after an impressive campaign for Espanyol between the sticks.
The likes of Barcelona, Newcastle United and Aston Villa have all been credited with an interest in Garcia, with the former's manager Hansi Flick recently commenting on transfer speculation.
Speaking to reporters about Garcia last weekend, Flick said: "He's a great keeper, but I don't talk about players from other teams. We have three great goalkeepers ourselves."
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Arsenal-linked Garcia turns down Barca in favour of PL move
A transfer to Catalonia does not appear to be on the cards, though, as Relevo journalist Matteo Moretto has claimed that Garcia 'isn't keen on joining Barca' and is understood to have informed Espanyol that he would prefer a move to the Premier League.
This comes after Espanyol's sporting director Fran Garagarza played down speculation linking Garcia with a transfer to the La Liga champions.
Speaking on Catalan radio station RAC 1, via Mundo Deportivo, Garagarza said: "I know he has strong feelings for the club. I'm not in his head, but I would be very surprised if he went to Barca.
"Because they have [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen and because they're our eternal rival, I would be very surprised...But I'm not in anyone's head, and I don't know what he'll do.
"I won't tell him anything. If someone pays the release clause and he wants to, there's nothing to be done. What I've told him is to think carefully because what he has to do now is play."
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Garagarza added: "What I want is for him to go somewhere where he can play and be happy. To be a top player. Not to go somewhere where there's a veteran goalkeeper who overtakes him because of his name.
"He has to keep playing and be a starter. I hope he makes his choices wisely and doesn't just go with the name or the money."
Garcia played key role in helping Espanyol avoid La Liga relegation
Garcia spent four years in Espanyol's academy and another two years representing the club's B team before making his senior first-team debut for the club in December 2021.
The Spanish goalkeeper has since established himself as an important first-team player and played a pivotal role in helping Espanyol win promotion to La Liga for the 2024-25 campaign.
Espanyol were in danger of suffering an immediate demotion back to the second tier this term, but Garcia contributed with eight clean sheets and made more saves (148) than any other goalkeeper in La Liga to help the club avoid the drop and climb up to 14th in the table.
Garcia is expected to leave Espanyol even though he still has three years remaining on his contract, which includes a €30m (£25.2m) release clause.
Oliver Thomas
