FC Barcelona have wasted no time preparing for the 2025/26 season. With Deco overseeing contract renewals, planned departures, and targeted arrivals, the club is looking to build on a stellar debut campaign under Hansi Flick.
The Catalan club have had a brilliant first season under Hansi Flick, securing the domestic treble. However, the German coach is unlikely to be the kind of man to rest on his laurels and will be keen to take it to the next level in the 2025/26 season.
One player that Barcelona have been linked with over the past couple of days is Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia. The 24-year-old has been the best goalkeeper in La Liga this season and it comes as no surprise to see Deco & co. interested in him, despite the Catalan divide.
🚨 Barcelona initial plan for Joan GarcĂa would be to sign the GK from Espanyol for €25m clause and loan him out to another club.
There are more clubs in the race and no decision has been made at this stage, all open.
Player’s decision will also be key. pic.twitter.com/yz6ksBQ5LK
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 26, 2025
Barcelona’s plan for Joan Garcia
Now, as per Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona’s initial plan for Joan Garcia will be to sign him and loan him out for the immediate season. The Catalan club are willing to trigger his €25m clause and ensure he gets regular game time in the short term.
The Catalan club currently have Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena at the club and the future of these three shot-stoppers is far from set in stone. Thus, signing another player for the same position without a clear plan would not be acceptable.
Joan Garcia is young and is ready to take on the mantle as the starting goalkeeper for a club of Barcelona’s magnitude. That said, when someone like Ter Stegen is still at the club, the 24-year-old might not get regular game time.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 01: Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol celebrates victory following the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on February 01, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
Will Joan Garcia move to Barcelona? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Can Barcelona convince the 24-year-old?
Romano has mentioned that Garcia has not yet made a decision on which club he wants to join amid a lot of interest. Barcelona are one of the many clubs interested in the player and the Catalan club will be hoping to convince him.
Whether Barcelona can convince Joan Garcia to cross the city divide remains to be seen. With interest from several top clubs and plenty of career considerations at play, the decision won’t be straightforward. However, if Deco can pull it off, it could mark a strategic move for the club’s long-term goalkeeping future.