Arsenal’s plans to bolster their goalkeeping department could be about to hit a snag, with Aston Villa reportedly preparing to hijack the move for Espanyol’s talented shot-stopper Joan Garcia.
According to Pericos Marca and additional English sources, Villa — under the leadership of Unai Emery and Monchi — are tracking Garcia closely and are willing to pay his €25 million (£21.2 million) release clause to bring him to Villa Park this summer.
Arsenal’s quiet search for a new keeper
While much of the attention at Arsenal has focused on attacking and midfield targets, the Gunners are also exploring ways to strengthen their goalkeeping options.
David Raya’s loan from Brentford was made permanent, but Mikel Arteta is keen to ensure strong competition remains in the squad.
Joan Garcia had emerged as a realistic and exciting candidate. Young, technically excellent with the ball at his feet, and boasting impressive shot-stopping numbers in La Liga this season, Garcia fits the modern profile Arteta seeks between the posts.
Only Unai Simon, Thibaut Courtois, and Jan Oblak have recorded better save percentages than Garcia in Spain’s top division this season. He’s stopped 77.1% of shots faced — a statistic made more impressive considering Espanyol’s struggles following promotion.
Aston Villa’s aggressive move
However, Villa’s approach could complicate matters for Arsenal.
With serious doubts surrounding Emiliano Martinez’s long-term form, Villa are urgently seeking a high-quality option who can compete for — and eventually claim — the No.1 spot. Garcia fits their project perfectly.
Villa’s advantage may also lie in relationships: both Unai Emery and Monchi are well-respected figures in Spanish football, and Garcia is reportedly an admirer of their work.
With Villa ready to trigger the release clause and offer immediate integration into their squad, Arsenal risk losing a prime target unless they act quickly.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper plan: time to accelerate?
Arsenal have to decide whether to step up their pursuit of Garcia or look elsewhere.
Should they miss out, alternative names like Diogo Costa (Porto) and Justin Bijlow (Feyenoord) have been floated internally as options — but none would come as affordably or fit the stylistic blueprint quite as neatly as Garcia.
If Arteta is serious about building elite-level squad depth — especially with Champions League demands returning again next season — then addressing the goalkeeping situation is vital.
Joan Garcia could have been the perfect fit — but now, Arsenal may be forced into a transfer battle they didn’t anticipate.
