First things first: Joan García has absolutely been one of LaLiga’s best goalkeepers this season, starring for a struggling Espanyol. His eye-catching display in their last game before the international break — making two stunning penalty saves in a 2-1 defeat at Mallorca — was just the latest of many. García has made a division-high 96 saves in 2024-25, ranking 6th in LaLiga for his percentage of shots saved.
A look at more advanced statistics demonstrates even more clearly just how important García has been to Espanyol. The metric Post-Shot Expected Goals minus Goals Allowed — or ‘PSxG – GA’ for short — measures the difference between how many goals a keeper would be expected to concede, and how many goals they have, in fact, conceded. García’s figure there is +4.4, which is again, the best in LaLiga.
In other words, García is outperforming expectations more than any other keeper in Spain’s top flight. If Espanyol stay up — they’re just a point above the relegation zone — he’ll have been a key reason why. And of course, aged 23 and with an accessible release clause in his contract — thought to be around €25 million, which reportedly drops to €15 million in the event of relegation — that’s attracting interest from a lot of top clubs.
Last summer it was Arsenal who came closest to signing the Spain youth international, but they were unable to agree a fee with Espanyol late in the window. They would certainly face more competition were they to reignite that interest this summer.
In Spain, there are still questions about Barcelona’s long-term plans for their No. 1 keeper — Marc-André ter Stegen, currently injured, is 32, while Wojciech Szczęsny is on a short-term deal — and Atlético Madrid will need a succession plan for Jan Oblak, also 32, sooner or later.
But as always, the lure of the Premier League might prove hard to resist, and García has the kind of solid, all-round game — comfortable both in the air and with his feet — that should see him thrive in English football.
OTHER RUMORS – Real Madrid have agreed a new, short-term contract with Raúl Asencio which would allow him to receive the bonuses due for winning trophies this season. (Diario AS )
– Liverpool are anticipating a big offer for striker Darwin Núñez to arrive from a club in the Saudi Pro League. (Football Transfers )
– AC Milan and Atlético Madrid are interested in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur , with Spurs set to ward off other teams by opening formal talks over a new contract. (TEAMtalk )
– Everton are exploring a move for Burnley centre-back Maxime Estève , with the 22-year-old is seen as a potential replacement should Jarrad Branthwaite leave the club in the summer. (Foot Mercato )
– A move for AC Milan midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers is under consideration by Nottingham Forest, who see him as an ideal reinforcement amid their hopes of qualifying to next season’s Champions League. (Calciomercato )
– Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca has caught the eye of Arsenal, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest while his teammate, defender Omar Soulet , is wanted by Manchester United and West Ham. (Messaggero Veneto )
– Flamengo are monitoring Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira, who won the Copa do Brasil and the Copa Libertadores while on loan at the Brazilian before returning to Manchester United in July 2022 (TNT )
– Ipswich Town winger Jaden Philogene is being targeted for a loanmove by Turkish club Beşiktaş. (Fotomac )
