Arsenal summer transfer target Joan Garcia has revealed he didn’t allow himself to be distracted by speculation about his future, deliberately keeping himself “isolated” from it.
Garcia emerged as a potential replacement for Aaron Ramsdale at the Emirates Stadium when the England international joined Southampton. The Gunners were reported to have offered Espanyol around £17m, but a €25m (£21m) release clause was the asking price.
Arsenal wound up taking former Juventus and Barcelona stopper Neto on loan from Bournemouth.
“I was pretty calm throughout the transfer window, isolated, because I was at the Olympic Games,” Garcia told the Spanish press, reliving the brief saga.
“And when I arrived [back with Espanyol], La Liga was starting. The last few days were more intense but I was strong because right after the transfer window ended we were playing against Rayo [Vallecano]. I think I managed it, I focused on the field, which was what I had to do, I didn’t allow myself to have any distractions.
“I am happy that people are glad that I have stayed and can continue to defend the Espanyol goal, and I am also happy. I have worked for many years for this opportunity and I am enjoying it, I hope to have a very nice season.
“With the Olympic Games I came when the season was already beginning. I’ve barely had time to think about it. It was the opportunity I’ve been working for, and I couldn’t afford to have my head out of it. Everything comes to you, but I had to be very calm with my head where it should be.”
Even though simply surviving in La Liga would be a successful season for Espanyol following promotion back to the top flight, Garcia has remained a starter by staying put, compared to taking an understudy role to David Raya had an Arsenal transfer come off.
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