Joan Garcia tells Newcastle United and Barcelona he will only make £21m move on one major condition

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Newcastle United are interested in signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia this summer, but the Spaniard has one big condition that the Magpies must adhere to.

After securing Champions League qualification on the final day of the season, Paul Mitchell will now be let off the leash to work his magic and bring several big names to the club in the summer transfer window.

Newcastle United are in a much better financial position compared to other transfer windows and are expected to be one of the big hitters this summer, alongside teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, who have also promised to spend big.

The belief is that Eddie Howe wants at least four new signings at Newcastle, with the three positions most in need of improvement being goalkeeper, right-winger and striker.

Spanish press have recently linked Newcastle with a move for shot-stopper Joan Garcia, who has a €25m (£21m) release clause in his contract, but they face big competition from Barcelona.

Now, a new report has shared a new condition Newcastle must promise Garcia to sign him.

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Joan Garcia’s big condition amid Newcastle United interest

With Newcastle looking to sign a new goalkeeper, there are likely to be departures in that position to reduce the number of shot-stoppers in the squad.

The Magpies currently have five goalkeepers in their squad, but John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie are set to leave at the end of the season with their contracts expiring.

Elsewhere, Martin Dubravka’s Newcastle future is still up in the air despite signing a new deal earlier in 2025. Nick Pope is currently Newcastle’s first-choice goalkeeper, but reports suggest he would be forced to step aside for Garcia if he were to join the Magpies this summer.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Garcia is meeting with his agent at the end of the week to decide his future. With Barcelona interested, Mitchell has to fend off big competition to sign Garcia.

The report also states that the “sporting project” will take priority; he only wants a permanent move to another club and even sees himself as capable enough of being the number one at wherever he ends up this summer.

Garcia already has experience of playing against the big clubs in La Liga, having played in every league game for Espanyol this season.

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Joan Garcia compared to Newcastle United target James Trafford

While Garcia to Newcastle is one of the options available for Howe this summer, many would still like to see young shot-stopper James Trafford join Newcastle from Burnley instead.

The 22-year-old is coming off the back of a sensational season in the Championship, keeping 29 clean sheets and breaking the record for the most shutouts in the competition.

Like Garcia, Trafford wants first-team football to join Newcastle for a reported transfer fee of £30m.

Trafford said he would only play Premier League football next season, and that will be the case. It is just dependent on whether he wants to stay at Burnley or join Newcastle and be in with a chance of playing in the Champions League as well as in the top flight.

Garcia will also undoubtedly be keen on playing in Europe’s top competition next season, with Espanyol finishing nowhere near a European spot.