RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has been heavily linked with both Barcelona and Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has refused to rule out a move to Barcelona, but insists he is still yet to make a final decision over his future.
Garcia shone for Espanyol across an otherwise tough campaign as the club narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of the La Liga season with victory over Las Palmas.
The 24-year-old finished with the most saves of any ‘keeper in the Spanish top flight (146) and he was subsequently handed the Dani Jarque award, given to Espanyol’s best player.
But Espanyol have grown increasingly resigned to losing their number one this summer and there has been no shortage of interest from potential suitors, with Arsenal and Barcelona circling for the highly rated Spaniard.
The Gunners had looked to have captured Garcia’s services last year, only for the proposed deal to collapse after the north Londoners failed to meet Espanyol’s demands for the Olympic gold medallist.
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Barca have since overtaken Arsenal in the race for Garcia and reports emanating out of Spain this week claim the Catalan giants have reached an agreement in principle with the shot-stopper.
‘At the end of the day, in football, news is coming out all the time, things are coming out,’ Garcia told Spain’s Tot Gira when quizzed on the latest rumours.
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports
Barcelona are the favourites to capture Garcia’s services (Picture: Getty)
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports
The Spaniard made more saves than any ‘keeper in La Liga this season (Picture: Getty)
‘Until things become a reality, it’s not always the truth.
‘But anyway, as I’m telling you, I’m very calm.
‘Whatever needs to be decided, I’ll definitely think about it a lot with my people and choose what will be best for me. I’m sure it will be like that.’
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Garcia’s price would have risen to €30million (£25m) had he been called up by Spain for the side’s upcoming Nations League clash with France.
But Luis de la Fuente decided against selecting Garcia, meaning the goalkeeper’s release clause at Espanyol remains at €25m (£21m).
With Marc-Andre ter Stegen standing in his way at the Camp Nou, Barca’s idea is to sign Garcia before immediately loaning him out to another La Liga club next season.
FC Barcelona v Villarreal CF - La Liga EA Sports
Flick has been coy when asked about Barca’s interest in Garcia (Picture: Getty)
Both Real Betis and Valencia are believed to be interested in a temporary move.
Asked about the reported interest in Garcia this week, Barca head coach Hansi Flick told reporters: ‘Joan Garcia? I don’t talk about players who aren’t in my team.
‘We already have three fantastic goalkeepers.’
CD Leganes v RCD Espanyol de Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Garcia has a £21m release clause at Espanyol (Picture: Getty)
Meanwhile, Manolo Gonzalez has advised Garcia to think ‘very carefully’ before leaving Espanyol for the club’s bitter city rivals.
‘I know he has strong feelings for Espanyol,’ the Espanyol head coach said after his side’s crucial win over Las Palmas.
‘I’m not in his head, but I would be very surprised if he went to Barca because they have Ter Stegen and because they’re our eternal rival.
‘I would be very surprised… but I’m not in anyone’s head and I don’t know what he’ll do. I won’t tell him anything.’
Gonzalez added: ‘If someone pays his release clause and he wants to go, there’s nothing we can do.
‘What I’ve told him is to think it over very carefully because what he has to do now is play.
‘What I want is for him to go somewhere where he can play and be happy, be a top player, not to go somewhere where there’s a veteran goalkeeper who overtakes him because of his name.
‘He must continue playing and be a starter. I hope he makes his choices wisely and doesn’t opt for name or money alone.’
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