FC Barcelona closed out their 2024/25 campaign in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club at San Mames, a commanding display that fittingly capped a season of silverware under Hansi Flick. In his debut year at the helm, the German coach guided the club to a domestic treble and came agonizingly close to a Champions League final berth in Munich.
In the German coach’s first season as the manager of the Catalan club, the club have secured the domestic treble and was very close to the Champions League final in Munich. Flick will know that next season will be even more important than this one.
As the focus now shifts to transfers, one player Barcelona have been heavily linked with is Espanyol shot-stopper Joan Garcia. The 24-year-old has had a brilliant individual season at the RCDE stadium, almost single-handedly keeping them in the top-flight with his heroics.
The modern-day goalkeeper - Joan Garcia. (Source: DataMB)
The modern-day goalkeeper – Joan Garcia. (Source: DataMB)
Manolo Gonzalez admits surprise
Espanyol manager Manolo Gonzalez was asked about the Barcelona links for the 24-year-old and here is what he had to say, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo. He said:
“I know he has strong Espanyol roots. I’m not in his head, but I would be very surprised if he went to Barça. Because they have Ter Stegen and because it’s their eternal rival, it would really surprise me… 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 go, there’s nothing that can be done. What I’ve told him is to think it through carefully, because what he needs now is to play.”
The manager then went on to say that it is important for Joan Garcia to go and play somewhere where he is guaranteed to be the starter. He continued:
“What I want is for him to go somewhere he can play and be happy. That he becomes a first-choice player. That he doesn’t go somewhere where there’s an older goalkeeper ahead of him just because of his name. He has to keep playing and being a starter. I hope he chooses with his head and not just based on a name or money.”
The biggest caveat in this potential move to Barcelona for Joan Garcia will be to do something that hasn’t happened often. Crossing the Catalan divide is unlikely to go down well with the RCDE stadium faithful and could come with its own set of complications.
From the perspective of Deco & co., there won’t be a better opportunity for them to sign a Spanish goalkeeper who can define the next decade at the Camp Nou. If Joan Garcia is willing to move, the Catalan club are likely to push.
Wojciech Szczęsny and Marc Andre Ter Stegen of FC Barcelona look on during a training session.
What does the future hold for Ter Stegen and Szczesny? (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
The goalkeeping dynamic
Barcelona currently have three goalkeepers in the first-team squad: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Inaki Pena and Wojciech Szczesny. The Pole is yet to agree to a new contract with the Catalan club while the Spaniard is expected to be on his way out.
Meanwhile, the German goalie’s form has left a lot to be desired in recent seasons. Thus, it makes sense for Barcelona to prioritize bringing in a younger player for the position and who better than the in-form Joan Garcia?
Whether Joan Garcia is willing to cross the city divide remains to be seen, but if Barcelona can convince him, it could be a game-changing move for Hansi Flick’s long-term project. With question marks surrounding their current goalkeeping setup, this summer might offer the perfect chance to secure a future star between the posts.