‘Unai Emery speaking to contacts about Joan Garcia deal at Aston Villa’
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is speaking to his contacts in Spain as he aims to pull off a deal for Joan Garcia, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the Espanyol goalkeeper has emerged as a key target for Villa.
Football Insider revealed on 24 May that Aston Villa could beat Arsenal to Garcia’s signing thanks to Emery and Monchi’s links in Spanish football.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper has been subject to interest from some of Europe’s top sides, and has a £21million release clause in his contract.
That comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Emiliano Martinez as plans are being made to sign his potential replacement.
Brown told Football Insider on 19 May that Martinez’s agent is pushing to leave Aston Villa amid ongoing links with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Unai Emery leading Aston Villa push to sign Joan Garcia
Brown told Football Insider on 24 May that Villa have considered signing Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale to replace Martinez should he leave this summer.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted Emery is exploring a number of options to strengthen in goal.
“Emery and Monchi still have strong connections in Spain,” he told Football Insider.
“They’ll be speaking to them about the possibility of the deal because they’ve identified this Joan Garcia as one of their options in goal.
“In normal circumstances, if you’ve got a goalkeeper like Emi Martinez, you’re going to want to keep him.
“But the financial situation they’re in after missing out on the Champions League, and a bit of interference from his agent, mean they might have to sell.
“There’s been a lot of talk about his future at the club.
“So with that, they’ve already started looking at players who could come in and replace him.
“I don’t know much about the Spanish goalkeeper, but he’s young and Emery rates him highly, so he could well be the one they go for.”
Zepiqueno Redmond set for medical at Villa Park
As work to sign a new goalkeeper continues behind the scenes at Villa Park, they are closing in on a deal to sign Feyenoord forward Zepiqueno Redmond.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 30 May that Redmond will undergo a medical at Aston Villa early next week after agreeing a four-year deal.
The 18-year-old will join on a free transfer after seeing out his contract with the Dutch giants.
Unai Emery and Monchi believe the Netherlands youth international can become as successful as Jhon Duran, the last teenage striker they signed.
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