If a report from is believed to be true, Aston Villa are aggressively pursuing a summer time transfer for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García. With Spanish giants Actual Madrid additionally pushing for a transfer, Villa boss Unai Emery and sporting director Pablo Monchi are keen to set off his launch clause to fast-track a deal.
Emery is reportedly annoyed with the veteran Emiliano Martinez following a number of high-profile errors between the sticks. The 32-year-old Argentine World Cup winner is drawing from Saudi Arabia, and the Villans might money in on their ‘no 1’ to pave the best way for the Spanish youth worldwide.
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Garcia, 23, progressed by way of the academy ranks of Manresa, Damm, and Espanyol earlier than breaking into the latter’s first-team squad in December 2021. After that includes sporadically over the following couple of years, the teen finally changed Fernando Pacheco within the Segunda División on the backend of the 2023-24 season.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 18: Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol acknowledges the followers after his group’s 1-0 victory within the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Getafe CF at RCDE Stadium on April 18, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain. (Picture by Alex Caparros/Getty Photographs)
His stellar stint helped Espanyol safe a direct top-flight return, and Manolo González, who promoted him because the first-choice keeper quickly after he was appointed Los Pericos gaffer, drew with Lionel Messi’s affect at Barcelona.
“Joan Garcia can be a world reference, unquestionably. Hopefully, as a result of he deserves it, by degree and by individual. This is identical as when Barcelona had Messi. There was a caught recreation and he solved it.”
had a near-miss season regardless of early guarantees throughout competitions. A lion-hearted efficiency at Villa Park went in useless once they suffered a 4–5 heartbreak (on combination) in opposition to the mighty Paris St-Germain within the Champions League quarter-final. A stunning defeat in opposition to Crystal Palace within the FA Cup semifinal ruined their hopes for silverware, and their probabilities of a Champions League berth hinge on the remaining 4 Premier League fixtures.
Why Aston Villa Ought to Tie Him Down As Martinez’s Successor
Martinez has featured greater than 200 occasions for the Birmingham giants, together with 49 appearances thus far this season throughout competitions. Robin Olsen, his understudy in purpose, is anticipated to half methods in June upon the expiration of his Villa contract, and the uncertainty over La Albiceleste ace’s future might current García with a possibility to shine in English soccer.
The younger custodian is regarded for his reflexes, dominance within the field, confidence whereas claiming and punching the ball, and one-on-one experience. He holds the ball-playing traits of a sweeper-keeper, one thing Emery would like to see whereas constructing the sport up from the again. Espanyol are heading in the right direction to safe a mid-table end, and Garcia, who has been essential in attaining so, should go for Villa to achieve assured first-team minutes.