Goalkeeper Joan Garcia van Espanyol is connected to a move to Arsenal, but Barcelona would like to sign him by activating his £ 21 million release clause after an impressive season in La Liga
Barcelona seems to beat Arsenal for signing a highly rated goalkeeper Joan Garcia after offering him guaranteed playing time. Garcia, 24, has drawn the eye of several clubs in Europe after his excellent season with Espanyol.
Barca's Cross-City rivals avoided relegation much thanks to the heroic deeds of their keeper, because he made most of the saves in La Liga with 145. Garcia's versions have made the links of a move to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen, but Barcelona has performed their pursuit in recent days.
During the weekend it was that Barca prepared for activating Garcia's release clause of € 25 million (£ 21 million) prior to the opening of the summer transfer window this Sunday. The clause is reportedly only valid until June 30, which means that the time is essential.
But a stumbling block is the goalkeeper situation of Barcelona. Club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is fit again with a knee injury after eight months.
Wojciech Szczesny, who was retired to cover for Ter Stegen, has offered a new one -year contract that Barca Chiefs is convinced that he will be sure he will sign. There is also a third-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who is left for 12 months for his existing deal.
Convincing Garcia to cross the gap in Catalunya could therefore be a difficult task, but as the Deportivo of the Spanish Outlet Carrusel explains, Barcelona has devised a short -term solution. They have offered the 24-year-old the chance to get on loan next season at Valencia.
Los Che is looking for a new shot stopper while Giorgi Mhaldashvili is preparing to become a member of Liverpool. The Georgia International was signed for £ 25 million last summer, but remained a season at Valencia.
Now that Mhaldashvili Anfield is bound, Valencia has a vacancy. It is crucial that the report adds that Garcia is open to a loan, which are the hope of Arsenal to sign him to compete with the first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.
However, there can still be hope. The Espanyol sorting director, Fran Garagarza, says that he is not aware of Barca's interest, adding that he would be 'surprised' if he joined them, given the goalkeeper options of Hansi Flick.
Should Arsenal cause the release clause of Joan Garcia? Say in the commentary part.
“I know he has strong feelings for the club. I am not in his head, but I would be very surprised if he went to Barca,” Gonzalez told Catalan radio station RAC 1 via Mundo Deportivo.
“Because they have steps and because they are our eternal rival, I would be very surprised … but I am not in someone's head, and I don't know what he will do. I will not tell him anything. If someone pays the release clause and he wants nothing to do.
The Espanyol -Chef added: “What I want is that he goes somewhere where he can play and be happy. Being a top player. To not go somewhere where an experienced keeper catches him because of his name. He has to keep playing and being a starter. I hope he makes his choices wisely and not just go with the name or money.”
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