Arsenal sent a bid worth €20m (£16.8m) with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in their bid to replace the outgoing Aaron Ramsdale.
The Gunners will let Ramsdale, who lost his starting place to David Raya last season, leave for Southampton after agreeing a £25m (€29.7m) deal. That leaves a spot on the bench for a new stopper and 23-year-old Garcia has been tipped as a possible replacement for Mikel Arteta.
However, Fabrizio Romano revealed that the €20 million package was not enough to convince the La Liga side to sell their goalkeeper, who has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and wants a transfer.
Espanyol are said to want €30m (£25.2m) for Garcia, who made 18 La Liga appearances after breaking into the first team last season. Despite their demands, manager Manolo Gonzalez admitted that the club may not be able to stop his departure if Arsenal activate his release clause.
“There is nothing I can do,” he said MARCA. “If they pay this law, there is nothing we can do, I am very happy that he is here and from the group.
“I don’t think he’ll leave but I don’t know. It’s a luxury to have a player like him. I say it every week, I don’t think he’ll leave. If I eat these words I’ll eat them, but it’s difficult for someone to pay 30 million euros. If someone wants him, he has to pay a clause I can’t say anymore .
Back in England, Southampton manager Russell Martin was delighted with Ramsdale’s arrival at St Mary’s but admitted he was out of contract.
Speaking after the Saints’ 5-3 win over Cardiff City, he said: “I’ve been on the other side of the pitch so I don’t know. I think he can be a very good player, if we can do it.
“We will see because we had another goalkeeper this week and it was well written that didn’t happen.
“If it happens, when it’s done, I’ll express my feelings about it to you then. But until then, I can’t do too much.”
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