In a development that has stirred the transfer rumour mill, Manchester United have reportedly made initial contact regarding the £25 million acquisition of Espanyol’s highly-rated goalkeeper, Joan Garcia. This move comes as United seek to bolster their options between the posts following a season filled with mixed fortunes for Cameroonian shot-stopper, Andre Onana.
Onana has been under the microscope after a series of costly blunders, most notably during United’s Europa League clash against Lyon, which raised concerns about his long-term suitability as United’s number one. Despite some impressive performances, these errors have led manager Ruben Amorim to consider alternatives ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Reports from Spanish broadcaster COPE suggest that United have now turned their attention to Espanyol’s Garcia, who is also on Arsenal’s radar. The 23-year-old Garcia, regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in La Liga, carries a release clause estimated at £25 million, which could trigger interest from the Premier League giants.
Garcia is yet to make his senior debut for the Spanish national team, largely due to the strong competition from Athletic Club’s Unai Simon and Arsenal’s David Raya. Nevertheless, his exceptional displays for Espanyol, despite their struggles against relegation, have marked him out as a future star.
In fact, the young goalkeeper’s standout performances, characterised by seven clean sheets and impressive saves preventing an expected goal tally of 49.27, have not gone unnoticed. Espanyol’s sporting director, Fran Garagarza, has attempted to downplay the speculation, stating, “There’s a lot of noise but nothing is happening. There’s no firm movement like there was in the previous window.”
The potential transfer of Garcia, involving a structuring clause that could rise to £25 million in the final days of the window, could see Espanyol clinging to their prized asset, potentially on loan, should a major club come calling.
Ruben Amorim, meanwhile, seems set on an active transfer window, suggesting that he has a definitive roadmap for Manchester United’s recruitment needs, hinting at early business before the market becomes crowded.
Stay tuned for more developments as Manchester United and Arsenal prepare for what promises to be an intriguing transfer saga this summer.
READ MORE TRANSFER RUMOURS: