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NEWCASTLE UNITED HAVE KEPT THEIR EYE ON JOAN GARCIA OF ESPANYOL 10:00, 30 May 2025 Espanyol have played down claims goalkeeper Joan Garcia is poised to sign for Barcelona as the shot-stopper
continues to be linked with the La Liga giants, Newcastle United and a host of Premier League sides. The Magpies are believed to be in the market for additional goalkeeping reinforcements
this summer, with Eddie Howe set to revamp his defensive department despite having five senior stoppers on the books. Garcia, who has also been linked with Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston
Villa, has a €25m [£21m] release clause. The 24-year-old has been heavily backed to make the move to Newcastle, mainly by Spanish news outlets, while wild claims on social media have
suggested a St James' Park switch is close to being sealed. Chronicle Live understands those reports of a done deal are wide of the mark. Meanwhile, Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez has
further muddied the waters by claiming rivals Barcelona - expected to be at the front of the queue - will struggle to do a deal for Garcia. "Maybe he's already sold, but the club
hasn't told me anything," he told reporters this week. "Personally, I highly doubt he'll sign for Barcelona . I'm not saying I'd cut off one of my hands, but
it's close." Garcia featured in Catalonia's 2-0 win over Costa Rica on Wednesday, with Barcelona president Joan Laporta in attendance to scout the player first hand. The Nou
Camp outfit are in need of a replacement for Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who is getting no younger at the age of 33. As for Newcastle, the north east outfit remain keen on Burnley stopper James
Trafford. The Turf Moor favourite was pursued last summer, when valued at £20m, before his stellar season at the Championship summit. United's interest has never gone away but it
remains to be seen whether Burnley will ramp up his valuation on the back of a Premier League promotion. Trafford is admired by Newcastle recruitment staff and Howe personally. At present
Nick Pope remains the club's No1, Martin Dubravka and Odysseas Vlachodimos are likely to move on, and Mark Gillespie and John Ruddy are poised to receive contract extensions. Newcastle
are also being linked with moves for Bryan Mbeumo and Marc Guehi, while striker target Liam Delap looks poised to join Chelsea. _Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the
best NEWCASTLE UNITED coverage and analysis._ Article continues below _Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the
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