Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement in principle with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia over a summer transfer to the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens have been tipped to recruit a new goalkeeper ahead of next season as the long-term future of first-choice shot-stopper Ederson is believed to be uncertain.
Ederson will soon be entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium and the 31-year-old been heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Meanwhile, backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega does not appear to be viewed as a long-term option between the sticks and is understood to have caught the attention of clubs in his native Germany, including Bayer Leverkusen.
The addition of a new goalkeeper could therefore become a priority for Man City this summer, and 24-year-old Garcia is thought to be high on their list of targets.
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Man City, Newcastle move ahead of Barcelona in Garcia race
According to Relevo journalist Xavi Espinosa, Garcia currently has three offers on the table for his services from Man City, Newcastle United and Barcelona.
While the La Liga champions have only presented a proposal at this stage, Pep Guardiola's are said to have reached an 'agreement in principle' over a move, and Newcastle also have a 'verbal agreement' in place.
Man City are understood to have identified Garcia as a potential alternative to Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa who the Citizens continue to chase and regard as a 'main priority'.
New sporting director Hugo Viana is said to be simultaneously negotiating with both goalkeepers, with Garcia's future seemingly left in his own hands.
It has recently been reported that Arsenal are also interested in Garcia, who has rejected the opportunity to join Barcelona in favour of moving to the Premier League this summer.
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Garcia responds to transfer speculation
However, Garcia has refused to rule out a move to Catalonia and is "calm" about his future as he continues to keep his options open.
Speaking to Spanish news outlet Tot Gira on the latest transfer speculation, Garcia said: "At the end of the day, in football, news is coming out all the time, things are coming out.
"Until things become a reality, it's not always the truth. But anyway, as I'm telling you, I'm very calm.
"Whatever needs to be decided, I'll definitely think about it a lot with my people and choose what will be best for me. I'm sure it will be like that."
Garcia played a pivotal role in helping Espanyol avoid relegation from La Liga and climb to 14th in the table in the 2024-25 season, keeping eight clean sheets and making more saves (148) than any other goalkeeper across 38 league appearances.
The goalkeeper is expected to leave Espanyol, though, and a €30m (£25.2m) release clause is believed to be in his contract that expires in June 2028.
Oliver Thomas
