Newcastle United have taken lead in the race to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García in the summer window and he’s now ‘one step away’ from the Mapgies, according to claims from Spain.
The 24-year-old’s performances for the La Liga club have seen him attract interest from clubs in Spain and England.
Spanish journalist Ángel García, relayed by El Desmarque, covers the latest on Newcastle and says they’re ‘on the verge’ of signing him.
He claims the stopper is ‘very close’ to joining the Magpies, who are planning to pay the €25m release clause to get ahead of the competition.
Mundo Deportivo relay García’s claim and then share their own information on the English club’s desire to sign the Spaniard.
Eddie Howe has Nick Pope, Martin Dúbravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos as the three stoppers at his disposal.
Pope is the first-choice goalkeeper at St James’ Park and despite this, Mundo state the Tyneside club have a ‘strong and very real interest’ in García. Arsenal, AFC Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen are also looking to sign the Espanyol player.
Although Newcastle are keen and intend to wrap up his signing quickly, the report states García isn’t ruling out other options. What seems certain for now is that he will leave the Spanish club in the upcoming window.
On Thursday, we covered claims from Spain which stated he’s handling offers from both the Gunners and Bournemouth.
