Joan Garcia
Joan Garcia (Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa have previously been credited with an interest in goalkeeper Joan Garcia ahead of the summer transfer window - but they'll face competition from Premier League rivals Arsenal if they're to secure the Spaniard's signing in time for next season.
Garcia, 24, plays for Espanyol in Spain's top flight and has enjoyed what has been a fruitful first campaign as the club's outright first choice goalkeeper; the club are currently 14th, seven points clear of the drop zone with four matches left to play and ought to be looking forward to another year in La Liga.
The future of Garcia, though, is under the spotlight; having helped the club to promotion from Liga Segunda last year, making 21 appearances in all competitions, Garcia has made 34 this season and has helped to contribute seven clean sheets, including against both Madrid teams - they beat Real 1-0 earlier this season.
Villa have been linked with a move for Garcia in the wake of their own goalkeeping department undergoing a reshuffle this summer; while young Joe Gauci will return from his loan spell with Barnsley, current understudy Robin Olsen will be departing the club and returning to Sweden, where he is expected to rejoin boyhood club Malmo.
There is uncertainty over the future of undisputed first choice Emiliano Martinez, too; linked with moves to Turkey but, more prominently, the Saudi Pro League, Martinez - who only signed a new long-term contract with Villa last summer - could be left with a decision to make this window if offers are presented to the Lions.
Villa will need a keeping reinforcement either way, although it remains to be seen if Garcia will even remain on the market, as Arsenal prepare to make a move for him; reports suggest that, having agreed to sign Spanish international Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, the Gunners have turned their attentions to Garcia.
They want another stopper to complement and compete with existing first choice keeper David Raya, who has been excellent since joining from Brentford and recently made a penalty save in Arsenal's Champions League semi-final defeat to PSG. That would suggest that Aaron Ramsdale, relegated during his loan spell with Southampton, has little future.
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