Arsenal can sign summer target for just £20 million as release clause drops in January - Reports
Arsenal will be able to sign goalkeeper Joan Garcia for less than his previous release clause in January, due to a clause in his contract. The Spanish goalkeeper was the Gunners' first-choice target in the summer to replace Aaron Ramdsale after the Englishman joined Southampton.
The Gunners signed goalkeeper David Raya in the summer of 2023, relegating England international Ramdsale to the bench permanently. Unhappy with this role, the goalkeeper decided to pitch his tent elsewhere, forcing the club to move for another goalkeeper. They made an approach to sign Garcia from Espanyol but failed with their bid for the Spaniard as his club held firm for his £25 million release clause.
Mundo Deportivo reports that the Espanyol man may be available for a brief period in the January transfer window for less than his release clause. The report states that the goalkeeper will be available for £20 million in the first two weeks of January before his release clause goes back to £25 million afterwards.
Arsenal lost a number of goalkeepers in the summer, including Ramdsale and Arthur Okonkwo, who was released. Estonia international Karl Hein was also sent out on loan to Real Valladolid to gain more experience.
Mikel Arteta's side signed former Barcelona man Neto from Bournemouth on transfer deadline day as they scrambled for a senior goalkeeper. The Brazilian joined on loan but is unlikely to be signed on a permanent basis from the Cherries.
Arsenal have also been linked with Napoli's Alex Meret, whose contract with the Serie A side is due to expire at the end of the season. The Gunners will likely look to sign another goalkeeper in January to avoid a repeat of the situation where 16-year-old Jack Porter was their only goalkeeping option.
Arsenal star misses out for Brazil amid injury scare
Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli was an unused substitute for Brazil in their 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Peru on Tuesday, October 15. The Brazil international sat out the game due to a calf problem, with his country unwilling to risk further damage to him.
Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes featured for the full 90 minutes while Martinelli watched from the sidelines as his country claimed a big win. The 23-year-old made a substitute appearance for the Selecao in their previous game this month against Chile before picking up an injury.
Martinelli and Gabriel have now returned to London, where the forward will undergo further assessment. The initial expectation of the club is that he will be fit enough to feature in their league game against Bournemouth at the weekend (October 19), having avoided a serious injury.