Espanyol’s Joan García is holding his choices open this summer season with sources telling ESPN Barcelona are among the many golf equipment considering paying the highly-rated goalkeeper’s €25 million ($28m) launch clause.
Arsenal had been eager on signing García as a alternative for Aaron Ramsdale final 12 months and his repute has solely grown since, following a stellar marketing campaign in LaLiga.
García, 24, has been at Espanyol for 9 years and his hyperlinks to the membership have led to experiences he may flip down the possibility to maneuver to cross metropolis rivals Barça, however he’s not closing any doorways.
“There’s at all times information popping out in soccer and there are issues on the market [about me],” he informed TV3 when requested if the opportunity of signing for Barça existed.
“It’s not at all times the case that what comes out corresponds with the truth. I’m simply staying calm and any choice which must be made I’ll take into consideration with these near me, choosing the most suitable choice for me.”
Manchester Metropolis, Newcastle United and Aston Villa are among the many different Premier League sides who’ve been credited with an curiosity in García, who was neglected of the Spain squad this week.
Sources have informed ESPN that Barça view García as the right long-term alternative for Marc-André ter Stegen, who returned from a long-term knee harm to make two appearances on the finish of the season.
Barça see García as the perfect goalkeeper to exchange Marc-André ter Stegen in the long run however the Catalan membership are conscious that the one strategy to persuade the younger Espanyol keeper to maneuver is to supply him a beginning place from day one, sources informed ESPN.
However, a supply thas informed ESPN that Barcelona could be keen to pay Joan’s €25m clause after which mortgage him out to a different workforce in order that the 24-year-old can proceed to play repeatedly and improve his possibilities of representing Spain on the 2026 World Cup.
Even then, García’s hyperlinks to Espanyol may show an excessive amount of of an impediment to beat if he additionally has severe presents from a few of the huge English sides.
García will weigh up his choices with subsequent summer season’s World Cup in thoughts as he seeks to interrupt into the Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad earlier than the match in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
De la Fuente this week opted to depart García out for the upcoming UEFA Nations League remaining 4, explaining that he most well-liked to stay with Unai Simón, David Raya and Álex Remiro, who’ve been regulars throughout his tenure.
Barça’s goalkeeping scenario is among the areas which wants clarifying this summer season.
Ter Stegen is the long-term No.1 and has a contract till 2028, whereas his place when injured this season was taken by Wojciech Szczęsny, who got here out of retirement to affix Barça final October.
Szczęsny’s deal expires in June, however he has been provided a two-year extension which he’s nonetheless contemplating. Stories in Poland have steered he’ll take up the supply.
Iñaki Peña is the third goalkeeper and, whereas he has one 12 months to run on his contract, he’s anticipated to depart this summer season.
Peña began the ultimate league sport of the season towards Athletic Membership, with Hansi Flick saying it was a “thanks” for his exhausting work and dedication after the frustration of being changed by Szczęsny after Ter Stegen was injured.
