Arsenal in pole position to sign 24yo La Liga star

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia amid interest from Barcelona, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Gunners are expected to pursue a new back-up goalkeeper this summer with Neto poised to return to Bournemouth after his loan stint.

Garcia has been on their radar since the start of the campaign and they are now clear favourites to land him ahead of the chasing pack.

The 24-year-old agreed personal terms with the club last summer and he has his sights on joining the Gunners in the next transfer window

There is a release clause worth 25 million euros in his contract, but the Gunners could sign him for much less in the coming weeks.

Espanyol need to sell him before June 30 to avoid losses in their financial books. They are ready to accept just 15 million euros as a result.

Garcia would be a huge bargain signing for the club and could be seen as a future number one ahead of current first-choice David Raya.