Aston Villa are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and they have their eyes set on Espanyol’s Joan Garcia. The Spanish shot-stopper has had a meteoric rise in the last 18 months and his recent performances have put him on the wishlist of Unai Emery’s team.
According to a report from Fichajes, the Birmingham-based outfit are ready to intensify their efforts to sign the 2024 Olympic gold medalist. With Emiliano Martínez’s future uncertain, the Espanyol shot-stopper has emerged as an ideal replacement.
While Garcia rose through the ranks and has been part of Espanyol’s first-team setup since 2021, he didn’t establish himself as a regular starter until the second half of last season. He played a massive part in their promotion to the top flight and has carried that form into the 2024/25 season.
He has featured in all 36 of Espanyol’s La Liga fixtures this season, keeping seven clean sheets. With the club five points clear of the drop zone and just two games remaining, they look set to retain their top-flight status and Garcia has played a key role in that effort.
His performances haven’t gone unnoticed as multiple top clubs from across Europe want to prise him away. While his contract at the Spanish club runs until 2028, Espanyol are well aware of the fact that they will struggle to keep hold of the 24-year-old.
The report suggests Garcia could be on his way to the Premier League, with Newcastle United among the clubs interested. The Magpies had emerged as frontrunners for his signature after making significant progress in negotiations. However, just as they looked set to finalise the deal, a new competitor has entered the race in recent days.
Aston Villa have emerged as a potential destination for the Olympic winner. They have entered the negotiations with a determination to change the course of negotiations and bring him to Birmingham. Emiliano Martínez has been a standout performer in goal for them but they have been forced to look for a new shot-stopper as the Argentine international could choose to part ways with the club this summer.
There is a lot of interest in his signature and there are high chances of him leaving. As a result, Villa are looking at potential replacements and Garcia is quite high on that list. Their sporting management has been closely following his progress and they have already initiated formal contacts as they look to sign him.
The Espanyol shot-stopper is young, agile, possesses excellent reflexes, and commands his area well. He has all the attributes needed to succeed in the Premier League, and Aston Villa are prepared to rival all interested clubs for his signature.
