Aston Villa have an interest in Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia
Joan Garcia of Espanyol
Joan Garcia of Espanyol(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
Barcelona have reportedly intensified their interest in Aston Villa transfer target Joan Garcia.
The Espanyol goalkeeper has a release clause of just €25 million this summer and is expected to leave the La Liga side in the coming weeks.
Garcia played a pivotal role in helping Espanyol avoid relegation this season and made several key saves in their 2-0 win over Las Palmas on Saturday.
After the match, he was swarmed by Espanyol supporters and lifted into the air as they celebrated staying in the Spanish top flight.
One social media account posted a picture of Garcia surrounded by fans, with the caption: “If you want to know how highly Joan García is thought of at Espanyol, this image sums it up. Like that scene out of Superman. Saviour.”
Fabrizio Romano claims that Barcelona are considering triggering the release clause to sign Garcia, but would then loan him out for the 2025/26 campaign. However, it remains unclear whether the Spanish ‘keeper would accept such a proposal.
Villa are known to have a concrete interest in Garcia, who could potentially replace Emi Martinez this summer.
The Argentina number one was visibly emotional at the end of Villa’s final home game of the season earlier this month.
Despite Unai Emery insisting in a pre-match interview at Old Trafford that there was “no way” Martinez would leave this summer, his post-match comments were more ambiguous.
“I don’t know,” Emery said when asked about Martinez’s future. “He has a contract with us. We are very happy, and we will see how the summer goes.”
Asked whether there had been discussions about Martinez leaving, Emery added: “I don’t know. You can ask him.”
In controversial circumstances - following a 2-0 loss to Manchester United - Villa missed the chance to qualify for the Champions League and will instead compete in the Europa League next season.
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