Arsenal and Tottenham eye audacious £39m raid on Barcelona shot-stopper Joan García

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have endured wildly different starts to the 2026/27 Premier League season, yet reports suggest both north London rivals share a common target between the sticks: Barcelona’s in-form goalkeeper Joan García.

While the Gunners have stormed out of the blocks with a perfect record in their title defence, Spurs have struggled to find any rhythm, still searching for their first win and first goal four matchdays in. Despite this contrast, transfer insider Ekrem Konur claims both clubs are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old Spaniard, who is valued at around £39 million.

García swapped Espanyol for Camp Nou last summer and has since made the number one jersey his own, leapfrogging both Marc-André ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny in Hansi Flick’s pecking order. His shot-stopping, aerial command and composure with the ball at his feet have made him one of the standout goalkeepers in Europe, and it is little wonder Premier League scouts have taken notice.

Why a Premier League switch looks unlikely soon

Personally, I’d treat this one with a healthy dose of scepticism. García only recently penned a six-year deal at Barcelona, running until 2031, and the club show no urgency to cash in on a player they view as central to their long-term goalkeeping plans.

Tottenham’s interest feels particularly far-fetched. With Champions League football far from guaranteed this season, Thomas Frank’s side would struggle to sell García on ambition alone, even if Antonín Kinský hasn’t fully convinced since taking over between the posts.

Arsenal’s case isn’t much stronger. David Raya remains arguably the Premier League’s finest goalkeeper and continues to edge García in Spain’s own pecking order, leaving little obvious need for Mikel Arteta to splash out at this position.

Unless Barcelona’s stance shifts dramatically, this rumoured swoop looks more like admiration from afar than a genuine transfer in the making.