Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United have joined Barcelona, Arsenal, and a host of Europe’s elite in the race for Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, a 23-year-old sensation whose stats are turning heads across La Liga. Manchester United is currently having goalkeeping issues, as Andre Onana has been inconsistent and is reportedly being replaced in the summer amid links to Saudi clubs. Both Heaton and Altay Bayindir are expected to leave at the end of this season, leaving United on thin ice.
Garcia isn’t just another prospect. With 101 saves in La Liga this season, he is the only keeper to hit triple digits and has single-handedly kept Espanyol’s relegation scrap alive. His reflexes and composure under fire have drawn comparisons to a young David de Gea, while the Spaniard is very much comfortable playing from the back, something modern football and Amorim demand.
The Price Tag
Espanyol’s 15th-place position in the La Liga table could slash Garcia’s fee. While his release clause sits at €25m, relegation would drop it to a bargain €15m, a steal for a player already on Spain’s radar. For context, Chelsea paid £72m for Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018. This affordable price makes Garcia an interesting choice for many major European clubs, including Arsenal, Barcelona, PSG, AC Milan, and Manchester United.
United’s interest signals Amorim’s dissatisfaction with Andre Onana. The Cameroonian, error-prone since his big money move from Inter Milan, has failed to convince. TEAMtalk confirms United are targeting Garcia and Burnley’s James Trafford, with Ben Jacobs noting, “United have landed on Garcia as [a] target.”
While Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal has led the chase to bring the Spaniard to the Emirates since last summer, Garcia’s Catalan roots complicate matters. Barcelona and Real Madrid lurk, but local tensions with Espanyol make a Camp Nou move difficult. Still, Eldes Marque reveals, “Garcia is open to a Premier League move” if sporting projects align. With Manchester United, Garcia can be offered a faster route to the number one spot instead of Arsenal, who will have David Raya competing for the spot as well.
At €15m, Garcia is low-risk, high-reward. For United, he offers a chance to reset post-Onana without breaking INEOS’ budget. As Espanyol fights to survive, Europe’s giants circle, and Garcia’s next move could define his career.