Arsenal up offer for Spanish goalkeeper

Arsenal have tabled a new bid of £25 million for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, as the Gunners seek to find the replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who will this week sign for Southampton. Ramsdale had fallen down to second in the pecking order at the Gunners, and the North London outfit have opted for the former Spanish under-21 goalkeeper to become David Raya's backup.

Garcia has started every game in La Liga so far this season for Espanyol, and the offer from Arsenal comes as a huge surprise as the Gunners seek to find a deputy to Raya. Numerous names have been suggested, but it is believed that the 6 foot 3 shot stopper was always the first choice of director of football Edu and manager Mikel Arteta.

Having come through the ranks at Espanyol, Joan made his debut for the club in 2021 and had finally made the breakthrough just last year, in guiding his club to the Spanish top flight from the Segunda Division.

It is understood that Arsenal had a 20 million euro bid rejected, but their most recent offer will likely be enough to seal a deal a transfer deadline day.