Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia addresses failed Premier League move

The Gunners failed with several bids to sign the Espanyol goalkeeper in the latter stages of the summer transfer market.

Arsenal identified Garcia as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who completed a move to Southampton in search of regular game time.

Espanyol made it clear they would not sell Garcia unless his £25m release clause was met - a figure that the Gunners were unwilling to pay.

As a result, Arsenal turned to the alternative option of Bournemouth's Neto, signing the former Barcelona goalkeeper on a season-long loan deal.

Garcia opens up on Arsenal's summer interest

Garcia has now opened up on his experience of the recent transfer window, insisting he remained focused on his football despite Arsenal's interest.

"During the entire market, I was quite isolated. I was at the Olympic Games and when I arrived La Liga was already starting," Garcia told reporters.

"The last few days were more intense, but I was very isolated, focusing on what I had to do, which is the field. I managed not to get distracted.

"Regarding my continuity, I am very happy that people are happy that I have stayed. I have worked all these years for this - playing with Espanyol in the First Division - and this is how it is. I hope to take advantage of it."

Arsenal to reignite Garcia pursuit?

While they may have failed with their efforts in the summer, The Mirror are reporting that Arsenal could renew their interest in Garcia in the January transfer window.

The Gunners may have been encouraged by the recent remarks of Espanyol president Fran Garagarza, who has left the door open to Garcia's potential departure.

"If you sense that there will be growth and performance, perhaps the current one could be a sale of a player without reaching completion," Garcia told AS.

"For this exercise, we have understood that Joan is an asset and that he is necessary to achieve the objective because he acts in a very specific position. We could not weaken there, we couldn't. The interest in him is not going to stop. The time to sell Joan may be at another time."

If Garcia does join Arsenal in the future, he will have to be content with being an understudy to Mikel Arteta's undisputed number one David Raya.