Espanyol admit they're 'powerless' to stop Arsenal signing Joan Garcia - but manager thinks he'll stay

Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez has confirmed the club are powerless to stop goalkeeper Joan Garcia leaving for Arsenal.

Standard Sport understands the Gunners have lined up a move for the highly-rated Spain Under-21 international as a replacement for Aaron Ramsdale, who is set to join Premier League side Southampton on a permanent basis.

Ramsdale, who lost his starting berth to David Raya last season, is set to join the Saints for £18m plus a further £1m if the club retain their top-flight status. The deal could eventually rise to as high as £25m.

Arsenal will move for the 23-year-old, who won Olympic gold with Spain this summer, while they will also look for a homegrown option to act as a No.3 goalkeeper.

Garcia is a product of the Espanyol academy system and is believed to have a release clause in his contract worth £25.7m. It is thought that will rise up to £30m if he makes his full Spain debut at senior level, though Arsenal look set to strike before then.

While Gonzalez has stressed he wishes to keep Garcia, he admitted the club were powerless to prevent his departure should Arsenal meet the clause when speaking after his side’s 0-0 LaLiga draw with Atletico Madrid on Monday night.

“I can't do anything,” he told Marca.

“If they pay the clause, we can't do anything. I'm very happy that he's here and that he's from the club.

“I don't think he'll leave, but I can'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 it, I'll eat it, but it's difficult for someone to pay a 30 million clause. If someone wants him, they should pay the clause. I can't say any more."