Catalona v Costa Rica - Friendly Match
Joan Garcia has been linked with both Barcelona and Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Espanyol head coach Manolo Gonzalez says he ‘highly doubts’ Joan Garcia would sign for the club’s local rivals Barcelona this summer.
Garcia enjoyed an excellent season in a struggling Espanyol side this term and won the Dani Jarque prize – awarded to the club’s standout player across the campaign.
As Espanyol narrowly avoided relegation, the 24-year-old finished with the most saves (146) of any goalkeeper in La Liga to further cement his status as one of the finest shot-stoppers in Spanish football.
However, Garcia’s future has become a source of intense speculation in recent weeks, with Espanyol resigned to losing their number one when the transfer window opens for business.
Arsenal have long been credited with an interest and looked to have signed Garcia 12 months ago, only for the proposed deal to collapse.
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Barca have since overtaken the Gunners in the race to sign Garcia and widespread reports this week claimed the newly crowned Spanish champions had agreed a deal in principle for the highly rated ‘keeper.
But when asked about these rumours, Espanyol boss Gonzalez told Radio Galega’s AoContraataque programme: ‘Maybe he’s already sold, but the club hasn’t told me anything.
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v UD Las Palmas - La Liga EA Sports
The goalkeeper is expected to leave Espanyol this summer (Picture: Getty)
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Barca have reportedly agreed a deal in principle for Garcia (Picture: Getty)
‘Personally, I highly doubt that he will sign for Barcelona.
‘I’m not saying I’d cut off one of my hands, but it’s close.’
Earlier this week, Garcia himself refused to confirm the reports of a controversial switch to Barcelona, insisting he was still yet to make a final decision over his future.
‘At the end of the day, in football, news is coming out all the time, things are coming out,’ he told Spain’s Tot Gira.
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‘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.’
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Barca head coach Flick has remained coy when asked about Garcia (Picture: Getty)
Garcia has a €25million (£21m) release clause in his contract at Espanyol.
This would have risen to €30m (£25m) had he been called up by the Spanish national team for the side’s upcoming Nations League semi-final against France.
But Garcia will have to wait to make his senior international debut, with Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente instead naming Unai Simon, David Raya, Alex Remiro as his three goalkeepers.
Garcia’s current deal at RCDE Stadium runs through to June 2028.
‘Joan Garcia? I don’t talk about players who aren’t in my team,’ Hansi Flick said of Barcelona’s reported interest in Garcia last week.
‘We already have three fantastic goalkeepers.’
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