Barca use Liverpool transfer tactic to move ahead of Arsenal in £21m star race

Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia has been linked with a move to Arsenal but Barcelona are keen to sign him by activating his £21million release clause after an impressive season in La Liga

Barcelona look set to beat Arsenal to the signing of highly-rated goalkeeper Joan Garcia after offering him guaranteed game-time. Garcia, 24, has caught eye of multiple clubs around Europe following his outstanding season with Espanyol.

Barca's cross-city rivals avoided relegation much thanks to their goalkeeper's heroics, as he made the most saves in La Liga with 145. Garcia's performances have prompted links of a move to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Bayer Leverkusen among others, but Barcelona have stepped up their pursuit in recent days.

It emerged over the weekend that Barca were preparing to trigger Garcia's €25million (£21m) release clause ahead of the summer transfer window opening this Sunday. The clause is reportedly only valid until June 30, meaning that time is of the essence.

But a stumbling block is Barcelona's goalkeeping situation. Club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen is fit again after eight months out with a knee injury.

Wojciech Szczesny, who was brought out of retirement to cover for Ter Stegen, has been offered a new one-year contract which Barca chiefs are said to be confident he'll sign. There's also third-choice goalkeeper Inaki Pena, who has 12 months left on his existing deal.

Convincing Garcia to cross the divide in Catalunya could therefore be a difficult task, but as Spanish outlet Carrusel Deportivo explain, Barcelona have came up with a short-term solution. They've offered the 24-year-old the chance to join Valencia on loan next season.

Los Che are looking for a new shot-stopper as Giorgi Mamardashvili prepares to join Liverpool. The Georgia international was signed for £25m last summer but remained with Valencia for one more season.

Now that Mamardashvili is Anfield-bound, Valencia have a vacancy. Crucially, the report adds that Garcia is open to a loan, dampening Arsenal's hopes of signing him to compete with first-choice goalkeeper David Raya.

There could still be hope, though. Espanyol's sorting director, Fran Garagarza, says that he's unaware of interest from Barca, adding that he'd be 'surprised' if he joined them given Hansi Flick's goalkeeping options.

Should Arsenal trigger Joan Garcia's release clause? Have your say in the comments section.

"I know he has strong feelings for the club. I'm not in his head, but I would be very surprised if he went to Barca," Gonzalez told Catalan radio station RAC 1 via Mundo Deportivo.

"Because they have Ter Stegen and because they're our eternal rival, I would be very surprised… But I'm not in anyone's head, and I don't know what he'll do. I won't tell him anything. If someone pays the release clause and he wants to, there's nothing to be done. What I've told him is to think carefully because what he has to do now is play."

The Espanyol chief added: "What I want is for him to go somewhere where he can play and be happy. To be a top player. Not to go somewhere where there's a veteran goalkeeper who overtakes him because of his name. He has to keep playing and be a starter. I hope he makes his choices wisely and doesn't just go with the name or the money."