Aston Villa Ready to Secure Goalkeeper Target with £21m Bid

According to recent reports, Aston Villa are prepared to activate the release clause of Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, valued between £21-25 million. The club is eager to finalize the deal quickly, hoping to outpace other interested parties, including Manchester United.

Villa’s interest in Garcia comes after their disappointing FA Cup semi-final loss to Crystal Palace. Manager Unai Emery acknowledged the defeat, stating: “We must accept the loss and quickly refocus on our league objectives. We’ve made significant progress, but there’s still work to be done.”

The 23-year-old Garcia has been a standout performer for Espanyol this season, playing every La Liga match and keeping seven clean sheets. Football analyst Ben Mattinson has described him as an “elite” goalkeeper.

While Manchester United have also shown interest in Garcia, Villa’s willingness to meet the release clause could give them an advantage. However, the player may need to consider his role at each club, as he would likely compete with established goalkeeper Emi Martinez at Villa Park, whereas he could potentially become the first-choice keeper at Old Trafford.

As Aston Villa continue to build on their recent success, securing a talented young goalkeeper like Garcia could be a significant step in strengthening their squad for future campaigns.