Arsenal failed in their bid to sign Joan Garcia last summer, and although they will go in for him again in 2025, it will be tough to secure his signature. And on this occasion, it is not because Espanyol will make things difficult, but rather there is expected to be much more competition this time around.
Garcia has been one of the best goalkeepers in La Liga this season, this first as a starter in the top division of Spanish football. It is not controversial to say that he is the primary reason that Espanyol are currently up in 15th, four points outside of the relegation places – and they will hope to pull further away this weekend when they travel to La Ceramica to take on Villarreal.
Espanyol have struck gold with Garcia, who is a product of their youth academy. However, there is a feeling of inevitability that he will leave this summer, especially as his sale would be a major help for the club in their bid to overcome financial difficulties.
Espanyol will appreciate that it is not only Arsenal that hold an interest in the goalkeeper, as it means that they can ask for a higher price – maybe even his €25m release clause. Manchester United are said to be keeping tabs on Garcia’s situation, and now MD have reported that Bayer Leverkusen would like to sign him during the summer transfer window.
Leverkusen could be the best move for Garcia, as of the three teams mentioned, it is at the Bayer Arena that he is most likely to be a starter. The defending Bundesliga champions have Lukas Hradecky, who is 35, coming towards the end of his time at the club, while his backup Matej Kovar is not of the same level as the Espanyol goalkeeper. As such, he would have an excellent chance to become the number one for Xabi Alonso.
