Overview

• Barcelona intends to activate the €25 million release clause in Garcia’s Espanyol contract before it expires on June 30.
• The club plans to sign Garcia and immediately loan him to Valencia to relieve pressure on their goalkeeping roster following Marc-André ter Stegen’s return and Wojciech Szczesny’s expiring deal.
• Garcia made a league-leading 145 saves this season, playing a pivotal role in keeping Espanyol in La Liga.
• The 24-year-old has informed Espanyol he prefers a move to the Premier League and is evaluating offers from Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
• Newcastle United may need to offload one of their current goalkeepers to accommodate Garcia should Eddie Howe’s side win the race for his signature.