Arsenal and Aston Villa have reportedly submitted offers to sign 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Arsenal and Aston Villa are interested in signing Joan Garcia in the summer transfer window. The two Premier League clubs have submitted offers to the Espanyol goalkeeper. Meanwhile, the Spanish shot-stopper has a release clause worth €25 million in his contract with the Catalan outfit.
The soaring stock of Joan Garcia
Joan Garcia has seen his stock soar in no time since breaking into the first-team squad at RCD Espanyol. The Spaniard enjoyed his breakthrough at the Catalan club last season, and he played his part as they returned to La Liga. He then participated in the 2024 Paris Olympics with Spain and won the gold medal.
While Espanyol spent the 2024/25 La Liga season in the relegation battle, Garcia was a standout performer for his team. The 24-year-old kept only eight clean sheets and conceded 51 goals in 38 La Liga appearances. However, the player’s performances have been enough to pique the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Barcelona.
A man in demand
The Spanish goalkeeper has been on Arsenal’s radar for a long time, with the North London club unsuccessfully attempting to sign him last summer. The continued interest is understandable, considering Neto will return to Bournemouth after his loan spell ends. Garcia also has an offer on his table from Arsenal, with Aston Villa also sending a proposal.
Speaking of, the West Midlands club’s interest in Joan Garcia makes sense. The Villans will likely part ways with Emiliano Martinez in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Robin Olsen is not good enough to be the first-choice goalkeeper, and he may also depart from Villa Park. So, Garcia is a viable target for Aston Villa.
As for Barcelona, Marc-Andre ter Stegen is a shell of his domineering past. In addition, the German goalkeeper is on the wrong side of 30, while Wojciech Szczesny is in the twilight of his career. So, the 24-year-old Spaniard is an option worth considering, with Barcelona ready to trigger the release clause of €25 million to secure his services.
The newly crowned La Liga champions are optimistic about their chances of beating Arsenal, Aston Villa, and other suitors to Garcia’s signature. So, it will be interesting to see if the Spanish goalkeeper moves across Catalonia in the summer transfer window.
