Joan Garcia
Joan Garcia (Image: Getty Images)
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia is very much struggling Espanyol's crown jewel in a season which could yet end in relegation. The Catalan side have lost their last five straight matches and are teetering on the brink of relegation with only a game to play, this weekend against already relegated Las Palmas.
They're two points above Leganes and could yet drop into Liga Segunda if their result is bettered by their survival rival on Saturday. Irrespective of their fate, Garcia is fully expected to depart the club once the summer transfer window opens, with a host of clubs at home and abroad - including Aston Villa - interested.
Garcia, 24, is an Espanyol academy player and has represented Spain at various age groups, although he has yet to earn his first senior cap, but he did win Olympic gold in the football in Paris last year. This season has represented his breakthrough into the Espanyol first-team, having played all 37 league games up to now and having kept seven clean sheets.
Currently, it's reported in Spain that Garcia, whose current contract runs until 2028, has a release clause of 25 million euros - but that is only for the time being. That is set to reduce to 15 millions euros if Espanyol are relegated, but will rise by 5 million euros in the final 15 days of each transfer window. It'll rise by 5 million more if he earns a Spain call-up.
Garcia, who has made more saves than any goalkeeper in La Liga this season, has been eyed by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, as well as Villa, Newcastle United and Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
Villa are in the market for a new goalkeeper this summer regardless of whether or not Emiliano Martinez leaves; the Argentine has been number one at the club since he joined from Arsenal in 2020 but could leave this summer in order to pursue silverware. Deputy Robin Olsen is also leaving to return to Malmo when his contract expires.
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