Reports in Spain claim Newcastle United are set to sign the Spanish goalkeeper.
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is “very close” to joining Newcastle United, according to one Spanish journalist.
Whilst Garcia was in action against Barcelona on Thursday night, Angel Garcia sent into NUFC X - formerly known as Twitter - into meltdown after claiming the Magpies are on the verge of signing the 24-year-old.
Garcia has made 65 appearances for Espanyol after progressing through their academy system and this campaign has played a major role in helping to keep them in La Liga following last year’s promotion. Last summer, he won a gold medal with Spain at the Olympics and has also represented his country at under-18s, under-19s and under-21s level.
It was last year Garcia agreed personal terms over a potential move to Arsenal, according to Fabrizio Romano, but it’s now claimed Newcastle are in the driving seat and are set to trigger his £25million release clause.
James Trafford is Newcastle United’s number one target
If reports in Spain are proven to be true - and there is nothing at this stage to say they are - it would represent a U-turn from Newcastle, who, for the past 12 months, have had Burnley’s James Trafford as their top goalkeeper target.
The 22-year-old has just played a starring role in the Clarets’ Championship promotion-winning campaign, keeping 29 clean sheets and conceded just 16 goals. That includes keeping 12 consecutive clean sheets between December and March.
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United submitted a £16million bid for Trafford last year, which fell short of Burnley’s £20m valuation. The Daily Mail claims his price tag is likely to be around £30m this summer.
It’s understood the Cumbrian agreed personal terms over a move to St James’ Park last summer and that “verbal pact is still valid” according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
When asked about his future last month, Trafford said: "I've got an incredibly good circle around me. It's very small but it's incredibly good. When the season ends I'll go on holiday and relax from football and then I'll start getting ready for the national team in the summer," he added.
"I don't go on my phone too much. I'm not naive enough to say I don't see any of the noise around me but it doesn't bother me. Whatever happens will happen. I've done all I can this season."
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