Manchester United have received a lightening bolt in their pursuit of Joan Garcia after the Spanish goalkeeper rejected advances from Barcelona in favour of a move to England, according to a report.
The Red Devils have been linked with a move for Garcia after an impressive campaign in La Liga for Espanyol which has seen Spanish media refer to him as the “best in Europe”.
These stand out performances have caught the eye of clubs across Europe with Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth joining United in the hunt for the 24-year-old shot stopper, along with Barcelona.
Garcia’s contract at the RCDE Stadium contains a release clause worth £21 million but this will rise to £25 million in the final period of the summer window, or if he makes a debut for Spain.
Arsenal had been thought to be leading efforts to sign Garcia after progressing the furthest with a deal. But last week, Fabrizio Romano asserted it remains an “open race” for the goalkeeper with Barcelona also entering the fray.
The Catalan giant would normally present a serious issue for clubs trying to compete for a player’s signature from La Liga, such is the allure of Camp Nou in Spain.
But reputable journalist Matteo Moretto (Relevo) now reveals Garcia “isn’t keen” on a move to Barcelona and has informed Espanyol as such.
Instead, Matteo reports, the 24-year-old goalkeeper “prefers to go to the Premier League.”
Joan García no ve clara la idea de ir al Barça y se lo habría comunicado al Espanyol en las últimas horas. El chico prefiere irse a la Premier. pic.twitter.com/2uj42aZoQn
— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) May 26, 2025
Tweet: “Joan García isn’t keen on joining Barça and has reportedly told Espanyol this in the last few hours. He prefers to go to the Premier League.”
This gives United a golden opportunity to zero in on a player who offers a significant upgrade on the pre-existing options at Old Trafford – Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir – at a price which does not drain the club’s budget.
£21 million is a great price for a goalkeeper with the profile and skillset of Garcia whose best years between the sticks are still ahead of him. The fact that three of the best performing teams in this season’s Champions League are interested in signing the Spaniard demonstrates how highly-regarded he is throughout the continent.
United must pounce on this rejection of Barcelona to trump their domestic rivals in the red-hot race for Garcia; or face another season of compromise with either Onana or Bayindir in goal when Ruben Amorim is evidently unhappy with both.
bourne
Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
