Guillem Balague: Newcastle eyeing move to sign ‘outstanding’ star, £25m gets a deal done

Newcastle United appear poised to strengthen their goalkeeping department this summer, with Espanyol’s Joan Garcia emerging as a serious target.

According to respected Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, the Magpies have set their sights on the young shot-stopper as part of their long-term strategy between the posts.

As the club looks to refresh and future-proof its roster, Garcia has become a name of increasing interest in Premier League circles following a stellar run in Spain.

The need for reinforcements in the goalkeeper position has become more evident with the current situation at St James’ Park.

Both John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie are expected to depart when their contracts expire this summer. Meanwhile, Martin Dubravka is now 36 years old and nearing the twilight of his career, while Nick Pope, though still dependable, has just turned 33.

Another concern is Odysseas Vlachodimos, who has only featured once since his arrival last year and hasn’t made a compelling case for a regular role.

These circumstances have driven Newcastle to seek a more youthful and long-term solution—one who could grow into the number one spot and provide stability for years to come.

Joan Garcia, currently plying his trade at Espanyol, has been identified as such a player. His performances in La Liga have captured attention across Europe, not just in England.

The 24-year-old has emerged as a standout talent in goal, registering an impressive number of clean sheets across domestic competitions. In Spain’s top tier, he made 37 appearances and kept seven clean sheets, while his time in La Liga 2 saw him secure 11 clean sheets from 18 outings.

Add to that two more clean sheets in the Copa del Rey, and his consistency becomes even more evident. With 52 league appearances to his name and another 12 in various competitions since his debut in December 2021, Garcia has shown maturity and composure beyond his years.

His rise hasn’t gone unnoticed. Clubs like Arsenal and Aston Villa have also been monitoring his progress, but it is Newcastle who appear the most proactive.

Garcia’s growing reputation and reliability have seen him labelled as “outstanding” by those following Spanish football closely. Despite his young age, he has already earned seven caps at youth level for Spain, which speaks to the high regard in which he’s held by the national setup.

His inclusion in the Spanish Olympic squad last season also activated a clause in his contract that bumped up his release fee, increasing it from £21 million to approximately £25 million.

While this might make negotiations more complex, Newcastle are reportedly weighing the value he would bring to the squad over the long term.

Another name loosely linked with a move to Tyneside is James Trafford of Burnley, who had a phenomenal season in the Championship and earned a nomination for Player of the Season.

While Trafford offers undeniable potential, Garcia’s experience in one of Europe’s top leagues may give him the edge in terms of readiness for Premier League football.

Balague, in a recent social media update, hinted at the seriousness of Newcastle’s intent, stating that the club views Garcia as a priority target ahead of the transfer window’s official opening.

His post also indicated that the increased release clause would not deter interest, especially considering the level of performance Garcia has consistently delivered for Espanyol.

Garcia’s journey with Espanyol began when he was just 15, and his loyalty to the club has seen him evolve into a first-team regular. That loyalty, however, may soon be tested if a Premier League club comes calling.

For Newcastle, investing in Garcia would represent not just a solution to a current problem but a proactive step toward future success. With the Magpies seeking to challenge for top honors domestically and in Europe, solidifying the goalkeeping position with a player of Garcia’s quality and upside could prove to be a vital decision.

As the summer transfer window draws closer, Newcastle’s pursuit of a new goalkeeper will be one to watch. Joan Garcia’s profile matches everything the club seems to desire—youth, experience, composure, and significant room for growth.

If the Magpies can strike a deal, they might just find themselves with one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe anchoring their defense for years to come.