Barcelona have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Arsenal-linked Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
The La Liga champions have reportedly agreed to trigger the player's £21million release clause, with hopes that the transfer will be finalised by next week. Following his pivotal role in helping Espanyol stave off relegation from the Spanish top-flight with a series of impressive displays, the player was tipped for a potential move to the Premier League.
The Gunners, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United were among the English clubs linked, alongside Germany's Bayer Leverkusen. However, Barcelona quickly took the lead in the race for his signature, and there were initial suggestions he might be loaned out for the upcoming season.
Valencia was mentioned as a possible loan destination, especially after they bid farewell to Giorgi Mamardashvili who is set to join Liverpool. Yet, as per Sport, the player is expected to join Barcelona's squad directly and compete for a starting spot.
The news comes despite the return to fitness of club captain Marc-Andre ter Stegen following a seven-month absence and Barca offering Wojciech Szczesny a new one-year deal. The future of former Arsenal goalkeeper Szczesny remains uncertain, although it's widely reported that the 35-year-old is likely to prolong his stay in Catalunya after coming out of retirement last September.
Garcia faces a challenging task to become Flick's first-choice keeper, but is adamant about not warming the bench. Speaking to Catalunya Radio, he expressed his determination: "All players want to play," he said.
"I've been playing for a year and a half, and I want to continue doing so. I'm young and that's very important."
During an interview, the Olympic gold medalist shared that his phone had been inundated with queries regarding his future, expressing he has no qualms about possibly leaving Espanyol for their cross-town rivals.
"It wouldn't be a problem to face Espanyol," he mentioned last week to the media. "It would also be nice to play against them. These are things that can happen, but I try to look on the positive side of things, and if it happens, I would be excited."
Moreover, the potential signing of Garcia has cast doubts over the tenure of Ter Stegen at Barcelona. Despite swirling rumours and Flick's alleged openness to sell, the German goalkeeper seems unfazed and set on staying.
"No one has told me about this, so I don't know the situation," explained Ter Stegen earlier this week. "I'm not worried. I know that I will be at Barcelona next year.
"If I remember correctly, and if no news has happened in the last few hours, we only have two goalkeepers for next season, Inaki [Pena] and me."
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