Manchester United to hijack move for major Arsenal target: report

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Manchester United and Arsenal are set to race for the signature of a La Liga star

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim speaks during a press conference after the Europa League match against Real Sociedad at Old Trafford in Manchester, England on 13 March, 2025.
Ruben Amorim's side could prove a thorn in the side of Arsenal this summer (Image credit: Alamy)

Manchester United could go into battle with Arsenal over one of the latter’s key targets this summer.

Both sides still have business to attend to this season, in the Europa League and Champions League respectively, but they already have one eye on the transfer market.

The duo will be aware they have similar vacancies coming up this summer, and a report from Spain suggests they’ve landed on the same target.

Manchester United to battle Arsenal for goalkeeper

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana warms up ahead of the Europa League match against Lyon in Lyon, France on 10 April, 2025.

United goalkeeper Andre Onana has had a few moments to forget this season (Image credit: Alamy)

Andre Onana has had plenty of difficult moments at Old Trafford this campaign, but regardless of his future in Manchester, the expiring contract of third-choice Tom Heaton means the Red Devils will likely have a gap to fill in the goalkeeping department.

The same is true of Arsenal, who seem to have plenty of trust in first-choice gloveman David Raya, but will be a man short when Neto’s loan from Bournemouth expires at the end of the season.

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia is highly thought of in Spain

Espanyol's Joan Garcia is picking up some serious interest ahead of the summer transfer window (Image credit: Getty Images)

The Gunners were therefore linked with young goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Spanish side Espanyol.

However, Spanish outlet COPE have now revealed that United could storm in to hijack the move to solve their own problem, with the Premier League side reportedly getting in touch with an offer.

The release clause for the 23-year-old is thought to stand at €25million, but could rise to €30m if Garcia gets called up to the Spain squad.

Quite where Garcia would land in the pecking order at Old Trafford, with Altay Bayindir also still in the squad, is not yet known.

Manchester United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir gestures during the Carabao Cup match against Barnsley at Old Trafford on 17 September, 2024.

Second in command, Altay Bayindir, has been afforded greater opportunities this term (Image credit: Alamy)

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, Garcia looks like a good bet for either side.

He has plenty of first team experience in a top European league, but would likely be willing to take a reduced role at a club as big as United or Arsenal.

Particularly in the Red Devils case, with Garcia a rising prospect, it would put some competitive pressure on Onana and give potentially give Amorim another option to turn to, which Bayindir has not definitively nailed down so far.

Garcia is valued at €20m, according to Transfermarkt. United face Bournemouth next, when Premier League action returns this weekend.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.