Garcia helped Espanyol win promotion back to the top tier of Spanish football before winning Olympic gold with Spain at the Paris Games earlier this summer. The goalkeeper is believed to have a release clause worth around £21.4million in his contract, although reports in Spain suggest that is set to jump to £25.7m.
Article continues below
Liverpool have been credited with an interest in Garcia as they plan to strengthen their goalkeeping department this summer, while Arsenal have considered a move for the 6"2 shot-stopper. Despite this, Garcia has admitted he is relaxed about his future while he has four years left to run on his current deal.
"I am very calm," he said. "I am a person who isolates himself from all this and I am focused on next Saturday’s game [against Real Sociedad]. In football, these things do not depend on oneself, but I am very happy here."
Mundo Deportivo report that while Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement close to €30million (£25m) for Garcia, but they are not the only club in the hunt. They claim Liverpool could look to hijack any deal while fellow La Liga club Girona are also interested.
Garcia was back in action on Monday but couldn't prevent Espanyol to a 1-0 defeat against Real Valladolid on their return to La Liga after one season in the second tier. Espanyol face Real Sociedad at home in their next outing this weekend before entertaining Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano to end the first month of the season.
As for Liverpool, they are also looking at other goalkeepers. One of those is Valencia's Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the Reds reportedly closing in on signing him for around £34m. The Georgia international is set to become the Reds' first piece of incoming transfer business this summer.
The 23-year-old has reportedly been identified as the prime target to compete with Alisson at Anfield after his impressive displays for Georgia during their European Championship campaign. Mamardashvili is expected to spend the 2024/25 campaign at Valencia before officially joining Liverpool next summer.
This comes despite Valencia boss Ruben Baraja sending a defiant message over his future to Liverpool. Before Valencia's opening weekend fixture against Barcelona, Baraja said: "It's very simple; as long as there's nothing, I won't value it. I am not talking about hypotheses.
"He has a contract with Valencia, and, as long as there is no different situation, he is our player. He is ready to participate in tomorrow's game. He's ready to compete; when things happen, we'll talk when they happen."
0 Comments