Newcastle 'very close' to signing £25m Joan Garcia - Bold claims from Spanish reporter

High up on the list of summer transfer priorities for Newcastle, alongside a new centre back and right winger, is a younger goalkeeper.

In recent months we’ve seen James Trafford heavily linked with a move to Tyneside, although Burnley’s recent promotion to the Premier League may have complicated our bid to sign the England talent.

We'd be naive not to consider potential alternatives and one Spanish report made some big claims last night on our plans to sign a top La Liga goalkeeper instead.

Joan Garcia Newcastle-bound?

Newcastle United are thought to be on the verge of signing highly-rated Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia from RCD Espanyol - although I'd take this with a pinch of salt for now!

According to a bold report from Spanish journalist Angel Garcia, we are set to pay his £25m release clause and 'very close' to agreeing a deal in a bid to beat a number of top clubs to the 24-year-old's signature.

CBS and BBC pundit Guillem Balagué claims that Newcastle, Arsenal and Aston Villa are all keen, with Barcelona also linked with a potential move.

Garcia’s heroics this season have kept Espanyol out of the relegation zone in La Liga, with the club currently 16th and five clear of the relegation places after last night's 2-0 defeat to champions Barcelona.

He also notably won the gold medal with Spain at last year’s summer Olympics in Paris, having previously represented his country at Under-21, Under-19 and Under-18 level.

Given his release clause and suggestions that the Spanish media have named a new favourite for his signature every week, I'd be wary of this one. Newcastle may well be interested, but I wouldn't be surprised if his agent is pushing a lot of this to the press to get the best deal possible for his client.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7iaCZpCOkw&ab_channel=ED-F

Mitchell scouring the Spanish market?

It has been much-talked about how keen we are to avoid paying premium Premier League level prices for our targets.

Targeting a promising talent like Garcia could make perfect sense this summer, as a young ball-playing keeper with impressive reflexes could be a smart buy at £25m.

If true, it wouldn't be our first foray into Spain in 2025, as we have already beaten Real Madrid and Barcelona to the signing of 18-year-old winger Antonio Cordero from Malaga.

But unlike Cordero, who is likely going on loan next season, Garcia would be a major first team addition and a left-field arrival few saw coming after recent links to James Trafford and Borussia Dortmund's Gregor Kobel.