Arsenal are reportedly growing in confidence that they will complete the signing of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer after last year's failed move.
The Gunners were believed to have pushed for the 23-year-old's signature in 2024 when it became clear that Aaron Ramsdale was heading for the exit door after one season as David Raya's deputy.
However, Arsenal could not strike an accord with Espanyol - who rejected an offer of €20m (£16.7m) from the Gunners - and were instead forced to make the emergency signing of Neto on loan from Bournemouth as Ramsdale went to Southampton.
Neto has only made one appearance for Arsenal so far, starting in the Gunners' 2-1 Champions League win over Girona on January 29, where he was partially culpable for Arnaut Danjuma's opener.
The experienced Brazilian will head back to Bournemouth when his loan spell ends, thus forcing Arsenal to pursue a new number two if Mikel Arteta does not promote Tommy Setford or Jack Porter to the role.
Arsenal 'expect' to seal Garcia signing this summer
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After trying and failing to land Garcia several months ago, though, Football Insider claims that Arsenal are now confident of bringing the 23-year-old to the Emirates ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
A separate report from The Athletic adds that the Gunners discussed a deal for Garcia during their trip to Spain to face Girona last month, holding direct talks with the Espanyol man's representatives.
Garcia's contract with Espanyol does not expire until 2028, but there is believed to be a €30m (£25m) release clause written into his agreement, which Arsenal were reluctant to trigger last year.
It remains to be seen if Arteta's side will activate that option or try to negotiate a lower fee for Garcia, who has kept three clean sheets in 23 La Liga appearances for Espanyol this season after helping Catalan club win promotion last year.
The 6ft 3in shot-stopper also won an Olympic gold medal with Spain at the Paris Games last year, despite not playing a single minute at the competition.
What other summer transfers are Arsenal working on?
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Garcia could be one of two Spain-based players to swap La Liga for North London this summer, as Arsenal are said to be making progress in their efforts to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
The Euro 2024-winning midfielder is supposedly set to join for £51m - as per a release clause in his contract - but Real Madrid could still attempt to hijack Arsenal's marquee transfer.
Arteta will almost certainly welcome a new big-money number nine into his ranks too, but Newcastle United's Alexander Isak may prove too expensive, while Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres is also the subject of fierce interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Instead, the Gunners could try again for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, who snubbed Arsenal in favour of signing a new deal with the Bundesliga side last year, and they are also understood to be interested in a 19-goal Serie A frontman.
Arsenal are currently undertaking a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, where they received another major injury boost on Monday, and will be back in action away to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.
Ben Knapton
