KEEPING UP Arsenal ‘verbally agree personal terms’ with Olympics gold medal winner to replace Aaron Ramsdale

An alternative target may also be considered

Posted Wednesday, August 21, 2024 by Thesun.co.uk

ARSENAL have verbally agreed personal terms with their Aaron Ramsdale replacement, according to reports.

The Gunners have been fielding offers for the England international goalkeeper, with Wolves understood to be the main party interested before the transfer deadline.

KEEPING UP Arsenal ‘verbally agree personal terms’ with Olympics gold medal winner to replace Aaron Ramsdale
Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Joan Garcia Credit: Getty

Wolves have already submitted a loan offer to take Ramsdale from the Emirates and are prepared to cover most of his wages, though Arsenal are understood to prefer a permanent exit this summer.

But Arsenal transfer chiefs have wasted no time in sorting out their new No2 in the event Ramsdale leaves.

This comes in the form of gold medal-winning Spaniard Joan Garcia, who plays for La Liga side Espanyol.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, the 23-year-old has already agreed personal terms on a move to Arsenal.

However, no official bid has been submitted yet and likely won't be until there is development in the Ramsdale saga.

Garcia was part of the Spain squad which won gold in the football event at the Paris Olympics this summer.

But he failed to make an appearance as he was third choice behind Arnau Tenas and Alejandro Iturbe.

He spent the first half of last season on the bench in La Liga 2 before emerging into the first team in the final 14 games of the regular season as they secured promotion to the top flight via the play-offs.

While in net he conceded just seven goals and had the best save rate in the division with an 82.5 per cent save percentage with 2.86 shots on target against him per 90.

Comparatively in the 2022/23 season when Ramsdale was the No1 for Arsenal, he had a save rate of 70.6 per cent with 3.58 shots on target against him per 90.

Garcia also trumps Ramsdale in numbers when it comes to sweeping, with 1.64 defensive actions outside of his area per 90 minutes compared to 1.13.

Ramsdale actions were done at an average larger distance of 16.1 yards from goal to Garcia's at an average distance of 13.7 yards.

With the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth goalkeeper wanting first-team football, Arsenal have also eyed a deal for Wolves back-up keeper Dan Bentley.

It is currently unclear if Bentley will be part of the talks after Arsenal attempted to sign the 31-year-old earlier in the transfer window with a rejected offer of £300,000.