The one position in the FC Barcelona squad about which there is quite a lot of uncertainty going into the 2025-26 season is that of the goalkeeper.
With Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s recovery, the Blaugranes have three highly competent goalkeepers on their payroll for now, i.e., Ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny, and Inaki Pena. The Pole is yet to extend his contract for another season, but recent reports suggest that he would do so. On the contrary, Pena is expected to leave for another club this summer.
Barcelona remain linked with Joan Garcia
Meanwhile, the Catalans have also been closely linked with the RCD Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia in recent weeks, even though there is still a lot of uncertainty about whether he would join Hansi Flick’s team for the next season.
One cause of this uncertainty is the competition that Barcelona are facing from other top clubs across Europe for his signing. However, if recent reports are to be believed, an agreement between Barcelona and Joan Garcia is almost done.
Taxes would increase the goalkeeper’s cost
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.
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Furthermore, as SPORT has noted, the fact that Garcia is currently owned by Espanyol, a heated rival of the Blaugrana club, will make the operation further costly for them.
Espanyol are not really ready to negotiate with the Azulgrana club, and want the full release clause of the player without any installments or any other facilitation. However, they might provide these facilities to other teams pursuing the player, including Aston Villa and Newcastle United.
The goalkeeper’s release clause currently stands at €25 million, but there would be some taxes that Barcelona would also have to pay for him, which would take their total expenditure for the player to €31.2 million.
However, Joan Garcia still remains the top priority of the Blaugranes as they look to reinforce their goal ahead of the next season. His arrival would significantly impact other goalkeepers in Hansi Flick’s squad, but the Catalans are looking to continue rejuvenating their team by including more young players.