Arsenal sporting director was 'happy' to miss out on £21m Arteta transfer target

Arsenal appointed Andrea Berta as their new sporting director in March, hoping that the ex-Atletico Madrid transfer chief would enhance their recruitment in the summer

Arsenal lost the race for highly-rated goalkeeper Joan Garcia to Barcelona during the summer transfer window - but it was no skin off Andrea Berta's nose. Garcia, 24, was linked with a move to the Emirates in the early part of the summer, as Mikel Arteta looked to strengthen his goalkeeping department.

The Gunners sold Aaron Ramsdale in August 2024 and replaced him with Bournemouth shot-stopper Neto on a season-long loan. After the Brazilian made just one appearance last term, starting Arsenal's Champions League clash with Girona, Neto returned to the south coast and Arteta began his search for a new backup to first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.

Garcia's name frequently appeared in gossip columns and he was indeed on Arsenal's radar, it can be revealed. But Berta, the club's new sporting director who was appointed in March, wasn't keen.

According to the Athletic, the ex-Atletico Madrid transfer chief was wary of paying Espanyol the Spaniard's £21million release clause. When Garcia chose Barcelona and signed a six-year contract, Berta was happy to pivot to an alternative.

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was brought in, costing Arsenal far less at £5m. Meanwhile, Garcia has immediately been installed as Barcelona's new No.1 and is enjoying an impressive start to the season.

The 24-year-old pulled off a string of saves to prevent Barca from suffering a humiliating defeat at Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, as the La Liga champions drew 1-1. "He put in a fantastic performances and earned us a point," Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said post-match.

Flick recently described Garcia as 'the future the Barca' and unlike at Arsenal, everyone was on board with his signing. "With Joan Garcia, we have a very young, talented goalkeeper who is at a very high level," Flick explained at an awards ceremony in Germany last week.

"Everyone decided together that he should be the future of Barca. So, ultimately, it was clear what our approach would be."

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Despite coming through the ranks at local rivals Espanyol, Garcia was convinced by Barca's project and felt 'truly loved' during talks. "They made a significant financial commitment that many teams probably wouldn't have made," he revealed.

"So I felt they truly loved me, that it was a commitment they were making with great determination. And that’s very important for a player. Feeling loved and truly loved is very important to me."

Berta was happy to sign Kepa, though, believing that the former Real Madrid loanee's 'great experience' will help Arsenal end what'll soon be a six-year trophy drought. "We are really excited to have Kepa join our Arsenal family," Berta commented after welcoming Kepa.

"He is a player with great experience, someone who has already won major trophies, and we cannot wait for him to join the group and help the club win.

"Kepa knows it is an exciting time to be at Arsenal and we know he is a player who will bring with him a winning mentality. We welcome him and his family to the club, and look forward to him meeting the players and staff, with everyone excited to see him."