Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia says he ‘isolated’ himself away from incessant rumours of a possible move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal identified Garcia as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who left the north London giants to join Southampton after losing his place to David Raya in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Reports emanating from Spain indicated that Arsenal had even agreed personal terms with Garcia’s camp over a proposed £25million move to the Emirates.
However, talks between the two clubs collapsed at the final hurdle, with the Gunners failing to satisfy Espanyol’s hefty financial demands for the 23-year-old ‘keeper.
Resigned to their fate, Arsenal eventually abandoned their pursuit of Garcia and instead wrapped up a season-long loan agreement for Bournemouth shot-stopper Neto.
Garcia has gone on to start all but one of Espanyol’s games in La Liga this season and the Spaniard insists he has no lingering disappointment about Arsenal’s failed proposal.
‘I tried to isolate myself from everything that was being said,’ Garcia told Spanish publication Marca.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia says he ‘isolated’ himself away from incessant rumours of a possible move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal identified Garcia as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who left the north London giants to join Southampton after losing his place to David Raya in Mikel Arteta’s starting XI.
Reports emanating from Spain indicated that Arsenal had even agreed personal terms with Garcia’s camp over a proposed £25million move to the Emirates.
However, talks between the two clubs collapsed at the final hurdle, with the Gunners failing to satisfy Espanyol’s hefty financial demands for the 23-year-old ‘keeper.
Resigned to their fate, Arsenal eventually abandoned their pursuit of Garcia and instead wrapped up a season-long loan agreement for Bournemouth shot-stopper Neto.
Garcia has gone on to start all but one of Espanyol’s games in La Liga this season and the Spaniard insists he has no lingering disappointment about Arsenal’s failed proposal.
‘I tried to isolate myself from everything that was being said,’ Garcia told Spanish publication Marca.
‘I had been given the opportunity to do something I had been fighting for for a long time, which was to be Espanyol’s starting goalkeeper.
‘I couldn’t waste this opportunity.’
Garcia, who won a gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, is tied into a contract at Espanyol until 2028.
‘I had been given the opportunity to do something I had been fighting for for a long time, which was to be Espanyol’s starting goalkeeper.
‘I couldn’t waste this opportunity.’
Garcia, who won a gold medal with Spain at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, is tied into a contract at Espanyol until 2028.
