Arsenal set to miss out on top Arteta transfer target as Barcelona prepare hijack

Suraj Radia

• 30 May 2025 06:00 BST
• 4 min read

News

Arsenal look set to miss out on a long-term favourite of Mikel Arteta’s to a Premier League rival unless Barcelona can hijack a deal from under their noses.

The Gunners are looking to strengthen in multiple areas this summer including up front, on the wings and a young defender in addition to the impending arrival of Martin Zubimendi.

Another position on the agenda for Arteta has been an understudy to David Raya in goal, with veteran backup Neto set to return to Bournemouth after his season-long loan.

Neto arrived last summer as a last-minute signing after Arsenal had failed to agree a move for Joan Garcia, with the Gunners unwilling to pay his €30 million release clause – now decreased to €25m – despite Arteta’s determination to have the Espanyol shot stopper in his squad.

Current ETV

Joan García

GK

Espanyol

Joan García

GK

Espanyol

€24.4M

ETV Range

€22M - €26.8M

View full profile

Garcia has since had a breakout season for Espanyol, making more saves than any other keeper in La Liga and attracting interest from all over Europe including Bournemouth and Aston Villa, while Manchester United are also keen on signing him as a replacement for Andre Onana.

The 24-year-old’s preference to be a first-choice goalkeeper at his next club has led to Arsenal being ruled out of the running for Garcia, with the Spaniard now understood to have two concrete choices in mind.

Newcastle in pole position with Barcelona ‘highly unlikely’ to sign Garcia

According to multiple outlets in Spain, including AS, Garcia will take some time to decide between Newcastle and Barcelona as his next club, although the Magpies may have the edge over the La Liga champions.

Espanyol are reluctant to see Garcia move to their bitter rivals and would prefer a move to Newcastle, something which the player is also keen on due to his desire to play in the Premier League and join a team offering Champions League football next season and a guaranteed starting opportunity.

But Barcelona are said to be pushing hard for Garcia and, while the player is open to moving to his team’s rivals, he would likely be loaned out for one year if the Catalans are unable to move on Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, giving Newcastle further leverage.

However, Newcastle’s first-choice target is understood to be James Trafford if they can agree a fee with Burnley, while Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez believes Garcia is ‘highly-unlikely’ to join Barcelona.

"Maybe he's already sold, but the club hasn't said anything to me,” Gonzalez said. “Personally, I highly doubt he'll sign for Barcelona. I'm not saying I'd cut off one of my hands, but almost,"

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