Man Utd & Arsenal face fresh Premier League competition for Joan Garcia

Arsenal and Manchester United's attempts to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia have been complicated by rival interest from Aston Villa, a report has claimed.

23-year-old Garcia was wanted by Arsenal last summer and has only enhanced his reputation across an excellent individual campaign with Espanyol, who appear destined to finish mid-table in La Liga after avoiding the threat of relegation.

A summer departure for Garcia is inevitable, with a release clause of €25m (£21.3m) making him an intriguing prospect for the majority of Europe's elite. Arsenal and United are known to be keen, while there has been strong links to both Barcelona and Real Madrid.

It is claimed that Villa manager Unai Emery is looking to upgrade on current starter Emiliano Martinez and is ready to trigger Garcia's release clause to get a deal done.

Martinez signed a new five-year contract last summer but the Telegraph report he's being targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia, with Villa possibly open to offers amid concerns over his significant salary.

Garcia is, therefore, expected to have his pick of clubs to join this summer and much could depend on the pathways offered to him, which may give Villa the advantage if Emery wants to make him the team's new starter.

Arsenal see Garcia as a high-level understudy to David Raya, while Madrid and Barcelona are both looking at the Spain international as a future prospect. United's interest is said to revolve around the future of Andre Onana, who has been linked with Saudi Arabia but is far from guaranteed an exit from Old Trafford this summer.

With Garcia keen to play regular football, Villa would appear to be the only suitor capable of meeting his demands at this point, and they are looking to get a deal over the line quickly before other suitors get their affairs in order.

An early agreement also carries financial benefits as Garcia's release clause will rise to €30m (£25.5m) in the final two weeks of the summer transfer window.

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