RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, 23, has been La Liga’s hero of this season, as his team battles to remain in the top flight.
With over 100 saves to his name this season, Garcia has been solid as a rock at the back for Espanyol, and it has seen him win La Liga’s Best Save of the Month for February and March.
His outstanding performances have not gone unnoticed by Europe’s top clubs, with some of them now emulating his steps. Real Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly among the Spanish giants that are monitoring Garcia.
The interest does not end there – Manchester United, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly massive admirers of Garcia, who was part of Spain’s gold medal-winning squad in their 2024 Paris Olympics campaign.
Garcia’s release fee is followed by a €25 million release clause, though relegated, that could drop as low as a mere €15 million. An exit this summer as the financial meltdown of the club appears highly likely, and a number of clubs have lined up for him.
While Madrid appear to be impressed with Garcia, no such transfer here is in the works. Thibaut Courtois, for all the rollercoaster of this season, is the undisputed No. 1, and Andriy Lunin is a more than capable backup.
Courtois is tied through 2026, and the 32-year-old stays at Madrid. Then there won’t be quite so much urgency to get another ‘keeper sorted in the offseason.
Barcelona’s Interest Barcelona, though, might be serious contenders. With Marc-André ter Stegen at 32 and backup Iñaki Peña still yet to be completely convincing, Garcia might be long-term quality.
His comparatively modest release fee, especially if relegated Espanyol, makes him an enticing option to cash-strapped Catalan club Barcelona.
With relegation-threatened Espanyol fighting for survival in La Liga, Garcia’s own future is far from secure.
If the club manages to stay up, his €25 million clause might still be enticing to potential buyers, but relegation would make him an even more enticing option.
Either way, a summer switch to a bigger club seems inevitable to touted Spaniard.
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