American businessman Alan Pace controls both Burnley and Espanyol, and according to journalist Ángel García, he is directly steering the negotiations — removing the friction of a conventional club-to-club negotiation and accelerating a deal that has been building since January, when Hartman was spotted watching Espanyol's home fixture against Deportivo Alavés at the RCDE Stadium.
Hartman, 24, joined Burnley from Feyenoord last summer for €12 million and signed a contract until 2029. He made 23 starts in the Premier League before falling out of favour under former manager Scott Parker and was briefly linked with a loan to Ajax during the January window before declining to move.
Burnley's relegation from the top flight last weekend has changed the equation entirely. The Dutch left-back has no desire to play Championship football, and Burnley are open to a temporary exit that protects their investment rather than risking his value stagnating at second-tier level.
For Espanyol, the timing is ideal. First-choice left-back Carlos Romero, who has been on loan from Villarreal, is returning to his parent club in the summer, and the club have been urgently seeking a replacement. A permanent deal is beyond Espanyol's current financial means, making the loan structure the logical solution.
Hartman is a Netherlands international who came through Feyenoord's academy and was part of the squad that won the Eredivisie title in 2022/23 and the KNVB Cup in 2023/24. His market value has risen sharply since his move to Burnley — Transfermarkt estimates it at around €18 million, and other outlets have placed it above €23 million.
The shared ownership structure means there are no drawn-out agent negotiations or intermediary fees to complicate proceedings. If Pace gives the formal green light, the deal could be finalised quickly ahead of the summer window opening.