Man Utd enter race for top Arsenal target as Romano reveals Onana stance

Tom Weber

Updated: 28 Feb 2025 14:20 GMT
4 min read

Andre Onana, Ruben Amorim, Man Utd — © IMAGO

Manchester United and Bayer Leverkusen have entered the race for Arsenal's top goalkeeper target Joan Garcia, according to Spanish media.

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The Espanyol shot-stopper is enhancing his reputation more and more with every game. Garcia has been impressing for the Barcelona-based side since usurping the No.1 spot last season as the club battled for promotion from LaLiga2.

The 23-year-old Olympic gold medalist has continued to impress in the top flight this term after failing to get a move to Arsenal last summer. The Gunners were unwilling to pay his €25 million to €30m release clause, so Garcia stayed put and the Gunners had to sign veteran Neto on loan instead.

However, with Neto set to return to Bournemouth in the summer, Arsenal are expected to dip into the market for a new goalkeeper who can challenge David Raya. Garcia remains high on Mikel Arteta's summer wishlist.

However, his stunning performances haven't gone unnoticed elsewhere. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Espanyol's city rivals Barcelona are also big admirers of the shot-stopper. A move across town was deemed unlikely, but more and more suitors are beginning to emerge.

Man Utd want Garcia

According to Mundo Deportivo, Man Utd and especially Bayer Leverkusen are keen on Garcia. Andre Onana has come under fire in recent months at the former, while the latter are said to be unconvinced that Matej Kovar - incidentally a former Red Devils goalkeeper - is a suitable long-term successor to Lukas Hradecky.

Bayer boss Xabi Alonso, who could yet stay until 2026, is said to be a huge fan of his compatriot Garcia and the Bundesliga side are emboldened by the fact that Espanyol will likely have to sell in the summer.

The LaLiga side's sporting director recently revealed that he is willing to negotiate a fair price for the goalkeeper that is in the ballpark of his release clause, although he is willing to accept a slightly lower fee.

Regarding Man Utd and Onana, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano reports that the struggling Premier League side are not desperately looking for an upgrade on the Cameroon international.

Romano states that everyone is blamed equally for this disappointing campaign and Onana isn't being singled out. “It's a difficult season for many players, not only Onana. Strikers are not scoring, wing-backs are suffering, it's part of a difficult season, this is how they see this bad moment for Onana,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

However, the Red Devils may yet be forced to dip into the market for a nominal No.2 seeing as though Altay Bayindir is frequently linked with a departure from Old Trafford.