May 21st 2025.
It seems that the competition for talented goalkeeper Joan Garcia is heating up as Real Madrid has joined Arsenal in the race to sign the Espanyol player. Reports from Spain suggest that the 24-year-old has caught the attention of top clubs with his impressive performances in La Liga, making him a hot commodity in the upcoming transfer window.
Last summer, Arsenal's attempt to secure Garcia's services was rejected by Espanyol. However, it seems that the Gunners have not given up on their pursuit and are still looking to add depth to their goalkeeping position with David Raya as their first choice. But now, Real Madrid has thrown their hat into the ring, as they are reportedly looking to replace their current backup goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin, at the end of the season.
According to El Periodico, Madrid has already reached out to Garcia's representatives a few weeks ago to express their interest in the young goalkeeper. They see him as a potential long-term successor to their current first-choice keeper, Thibaut Courtois, who recently turned 33. It seems that Real Madrid is not wasting any time in securing a promising talent for their team.
For those who support Arsenal, you can now get personalised updates on your club every morning. Metro's Football Newsletter will send you news straight to your inbox, tailored to your team of choice. So you can stay up to date with all the latest developments regarding the Gunners and their pursuit of Garcia.
Speaking of the player himself, it is reported that Garcia has a release clause of €25m in his contract with Espanyol. However, if he is called up to Spain's national team, that amount will rise to €30m. This could prove to be an obstacle for some clubs, but it seems that it has not deterred Aston Villa's interest in the goalkeeper. With Emiliano Martinez likely to leave this summer, Villa sees Garcia as a potential replacement and has joined the list of clubs vying for his signature.
Meanwhile, Martinez, who joined Villa from Arsenal in 2020, seems to be on his way out. In their final home game of the season, the World Cup winner had tears in his eyes as he waved goodbye to the fans. Both Atletico Madrid and Manchester United have been linked with a move for the 32-year-old, making it clear that he is a highly sought-after keeper in the transfer market.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
