Arsenal launch bid to make fourth summer signing after Edu green-lights transfer exit

Arsenal are reportedly preparing to launch a bid for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia after striking a deal with Southampton to sell Aaron Ramsdale. Mikel Arteta is searching for a new second-choice shot-stopper after allowing Ramsdale to depart before Friday’s transfer deadline.

It is set to be a busy 48 hours for sporting director Edu, who only this week sealed the arrival of midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad. The Gunners are reportedly set to return to the Spanish market for their Ramsdale replacement.

Spanish gold medal-winning star Garcia is reportedly on Arsenal’s radar and the club are set to make an offer after accepting a £24million bid for Ramsdale.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League side are preparing to launch a bid for Garcia in the next 24 hours. That will leave them enough time to wrap up a deal before Friday evening’s deadline, should Espanyol and their 23-year-old goalkeeper accept a move.

Garcia has been Espanyol’s first-choice goalkeeper since the middle of last season. He helped the club win promotion back to La Liga and has started their first two games of the new campaign.

But Ramsdale’s imminent departure from Arsenal presents a potentially exciting vacancy to play back-up to countryman David Raya at the Emirates Stadium. Raya won the battle to be Arteta’s No 1 at the start of last season and has remained in the role ever since, despite his manager insisting both goalkeepers were jointly first choice.

Ramsdale wants regular game time and has reportedly agreed to join newly-promoted Southampton. The Saints learned that usual goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu is set to be out until 2025 due to an injury.

Garcia would be the third goalkeeper to join Arsenal in a permanent deal this summer, with Raya’s loan from Brentford made permanent earlier this summer. England youth international Tommy Setford has also arrived from Ajax in a major coup for the Gunners.

Ramsdale’s departure may even free up funds for one more big deal. Arsenal have been linked with signing another forward before Friday’s deadline and could yet test Athletic Bilbao’s resolve for prized winger Nico Williams.

It is widely reported that Williams, 22, would prefer to play in Spain. He seemed to commit his long-term future to Athletic earlier this summer by accepting the club’s historic No 10 shirt following the departure of Iker Muniain.