Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has had a rapid rise in Spanish football. This time last year he was making his first senior appearances after wrestling the number one spot from Fernando Pacheco, as Los Pericos pursued promotion to La Liga. Now in the first division, many are describing Garcia as the best goalkeeper in Spain this season, with his saves crucial in what looks likely to be a successful survival bid.
What is more, Garcia is set to be available this summer. With Espanyol desperate to balance their accounts, his €25m release clause is a more than appealing price tag for many sides in Europe. Arsenal attempted to sign him last summer, but could not reach a deal with Espanyol.
They are expected to come back in with an offer this summer, but Garcia will have options this summer. Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all looked at Garcia, albeit Barcelona have decided against a move for a goalkeeper this summer. Los Blancos are waiting to see if Andriy Lunin leaves, while Atletico see him as a potential long-term successor to Jan Oblak – they have also decided to move on from back-up goalkeeper Juan Musso by the looks of it too.
As explained by Cadena Cope, Garcia has offers in Spain, Germany and England to leave Espanyol, but thus far, not from Los Blancos. His agent intends to wait and see if one does arrive – this would be Garcia’s priority – but currently, the most likely outcome is that he leaves Spain this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen are rumoured to be the German side that are interested in Garcia, and that likely puts Arsenal in pole position for him, as the biggest club with a firm interest in him. However the 23-year-old will have a tough choice on his hands, as the biggest offers may not come with guaranteed first-team football.
