Aston Villa want 'fast-track' transfer as Arsenal and Man Utd loom
Aston Villa could need to bolster their goalkeeping department this summer if Robin Olsen moves on
Aston Villa are trying to ‘fast-track’ a transfer for goalkeeper Joan García.
That’s according to SER ’s Antón Meana, who says Real Madrid are also keen on the Espanyol ‘keeper.
He adds that Villa ‘want to meet’ the Spaniard’s release clause in a bid to provide support or even competition for Emiliano Martínez.
Garcia has been extensively linked with Arsenal and Manchester United in recent days, with the 23-year-old claimed to have a £21million release clause that rises to £25m by the end of the transfer window. His contract runs through to June 2028.
Garcia has spent his whole career at Espanyol and has made 61 appearances since making his debut in 2021. It took him a couple of years to establish himself as first choice and has started all of this season’s 33 La Liga matches, helping the Catalans to 13th place in the table.
He has played for Spain through the age groups, up to Under-21, with whom he won the Olympic football gold medal last year.
As things stand Martinez is Villa’s undisputed first choice and believed by those within Villa Park to be the best goalkeeper in the world. He is currently backed-up by Robin Olsen, who has been at the club three years but made just 21 appearances. Reports in his homeland suggest he could leave Villa at the end of his contract this summer and return to Sweden.
Villa will welcome Joe Gauci back from his loan spell at Barnsley at the end of the season but if Olsen does move on they are likely to want another senior option.
What’s Villa’s top transfer priority this summer? Have your say here
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