Joan Garcia set to snub Barcelona as Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa circle for €25m Espanyol goalkeeper

Barcelona have been hit with a hammer blow in their pursuit of highly sought-after Espanyol goalkeeper Garcia, who, according to Matteo Moretto (h/t Football Espana), has rejected the Catalans. Instead, he is believed to prefer a switch to the Premier League, where a number of teams are said to be interested in acquiring his services.

Barca want to sign a long-term replacement for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who recently turned 33. The club believes that his performances and form have been on a steady decline in recent seasons, and see back-up Wojciech Szczesny as nothing more than just a temporary fix, despite offering him a two-year contract extension.

Multiple reports from Spain have mentioned the Catalans' interest in signing Garcia, who has a €25 million (£21m) release clause in his contract. However, the young custodian has reportedly rejected the Spanish champions out of respect for his boyhood club, as Espanyol share a bitter rivalry with Barca.

After pledging his loyalty to Espanyol by refusing to give the go-ahead to join Barca, the 24-year-old is now keen on a move to the Premier League. Arsenal have been interested since last summer and are still in pursuit, while Aston Villa believe that he is the perfect successor for Emi Martinez, whose departure from Villa Park seems inevitable this summer. Newcastle United, Manchester City, Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Chelsea have also been reported to be keeping tabs on Garcia's situation in Catalunya.

All eyes will be on where Garcia ends up next season. A move to the Premier League beckons, but it remains to be seen which club succeeds in poaching one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe.