Newcastle United are thought to be showing serious interest in a player who has been likened to his team’s version of Lionel Messi, according to a new transfer report.
Newcastle preparing for vital final Premier League day
The Magpies are now so close to sealing a return to the Champions League that supporters can almost taste it, following an excellent season overall, not least the legendary EFL Cup triumph back in March.
Victory at home to Everton on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday afternoon will secure a place back at Europe’s top table for Newcastle, with Eddie Howe fully focused on getting the job done this weekend:
“We’re still in a strong position and it’s in our hands, and I think we have to look at this as a positive. I think calmness is going to be key at this moment in time. It’s a week before we play. We’ve got to be very calm, make good decisions, and train and prepare well for the game. Nothing changes. The emotion will be there in the game, I don’t think we have to spell that out to the players.”
It has the potential to be a nervy afternoon at St James’ Park, however, with everyone associated with Newcastle aware that things could go wrong, ultimately having a major detrimental impact on their summer transfer business. Hopefully, Champions League football will be achieved, though, allowing them to target elite options.
Newcastle “very serious” about signing £20m+ goalkeeper
According to Sport [via Sport Witness], Newcastle United are “very serious” about signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in the summer transfer window. Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all mentioned, too.
It is claimed that the Magpies could snap him up for as little as £12.6m if his side are relegated from La Liga this weekend, but £21m is more likely to be needed as Espanyol are two points clear of the relegation zone going into the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.
Garcia is arguably one of the best goalkeepers in Europe currently, with WhoScored pointing out that he is in the top five highest-rated players in his position this season.
Not only that, but Manolo Gonzalez has even said that Garcia’s impact at Espanyol is akin to that of Lionel Messi, in terms of being a difference-maker on the pitch time and time again:
“Joan Garcia is going to be a global reference, no doubt about it. I really hope so, because he deserves it, both for his ability and for who he is. It’s like when Barcelona had Messi. There were tough matches, and Messi would resolve them. Well, we have that in goal with Joan Garcia.”
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He took centre stage at St James’ this season.
At 24, the Spaniard is still young, especially for a goalkeeper, and Newcastle could see him as the perfect long-term replacement for Nick Pope, who can arguably be improved upon at this point in his career.
