Aston Villa could spring a late twist in the race to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, according to journalist Ben Jacobs - with the Villans potentially replacing legendary Argentine hero Emiliano Martinez with the in-demand Spanish stopper.
Garcia has been linked with a move to the Premier League for quite some time, with Arsenal and Newcastle United both thought to be keen on bringing him to the top-flight after a spectacular season in Catalonia, as well as Barcelona also looking to prise Garcia from their cross-city rivals, as Jacobs revealed via his X (formerly Twitter) page on Saturday that the La Liga champions had agreed personal terms with the 24-year-old.
Jacobs: Aston Villa 'Ones to Watch' in Joan Garcia Race
The Villans have a huge summer ahead to potentially replace Emi Martinez
Joan Garcia
However, with Villa having failed to qualify for the Champions League, that could see Martinez depart. The Argentine has been touted with a move away to the Saudi Pro League, and given that he'll be 33 by the time the season is underway, it could be worth Villa securing a long-term replacement.
And according to Jacobs, that could see Garcia move to Villa Park, with Unai Emery potentially raiding his homeland in order to land the up-and-coming, in-demand stopper. He said on The United Stand's YouTube channel:
"Aston Villa are going to be ones to watch, because there's going to be, potentially, a domino effect where Emiliano Martinez leaves and they might consider Garcia."
Villa could see the likes of Martinez, Jacob Ramsey and Ollie Watkins all depart this summer, with vast interest in their services - and having been a side known to wheel and deal in transfer windows, an exit for the World Cup winner isn't out of the question.
Marcus Rashford is also set to depart Villa Park after his loan deal failed to see them qualify for the Champions League, and new targets are set to be drawn up - hence a move for Garcia being in the pipeline.
Garcia kept eight clean sheets in 38 games for Espanyol, acting as an ever-present and only conceding 51 all season - seeing him called 'one of the world's best'. As a result of his form, they recorded 42 points and a 14th-placed finish on their return to La Liga, having been promoted through the play-offs last season.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 31-05-25.
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