New Arsenal chief Berta gets green light to seal £25m transfer for top target

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is set to oversee a huge summer transfer window and bringing in a new goalkeeper is high on Mikel Arteta's agenda ahead of next season

Arsenal transfer target Joan Garcia has been lavished with a glowing endorsement from Wojciech Szczesny ahead of the upcoming transfer window, with the former Gunners goalkeeper claiming the Espanyol star is the best keeper in La Liga.

Garcia, 24, has been a long-term target for Arsenal, who were first credited with an interest in his services last summer. They are primed to make a fresh play for the goalkeeper's signature, though, as they seek a new shot-stopper to compete with David Raya ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

Espanyol are said to have accepted the fact that their star goalkeeper will move on this summer regardless of whether or not they retain their La Liga status with Real Madrid also keen on the Spaniard, whose £25million release clause would halve with relegation.

And Szczesny, the former Arsenal stopper who is now on the books at Barcelona, has sung Garcia's praises ahead of the summer transfer window.

Speaking after Barca wrapped up the Spanish title, Szczesney took the time to single out his rival, saying: "I want to praise Joan Garcia; I think he’s the best goalkeeper in La Liga and has a very big future ahead of him.

"He’s one of the best goalkeepers in Spain and Europe right now."

Andrea Berta, Arsenal's new sporting director, will oversee his first transfer window over the summer and the club have their sights set on a number of targets, including a new goalkeeper to push Raya off the back of another fine season for the Spain international.

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A deal for a new striker is thought to be at the top of Berta's agenda, with Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres emerging as the most likely target. A swoop for Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi - another of La Liga's brightest stars - has also been in the works of months. Szczesny's endorsement of Garcia is further testament to the Gunners' interest in a goalkeeper who is still nowhere near his prime.

Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza recently admitted that Garcia was one of the club's 'most valuable assets' amid interest from the Premier League and further afield but denied any agreements were in place for a sale.

He explained: "There's a lot of noise around [Garcia] but there are no concrete offers at the moment. He's been crucial, not just for his performances but for his attitude. He's operating at the very highest level. He's completely focused on helping us get the points we need to secure safety. He's one of our most valuable assets, along with other homegrown players. We're proud of them."