With the 2024-25 season over, FC Barcelona are now focusing all their energies on strengthening their team for the next season. The Blaugranes have some specific positions in their mind that they want to strengthen, one of them being the goalkeeper.
For this purpose, the Catalans have been closely linked with the RCD Espanyol goalkeeper for several days now. There have been some conflicting reports about the goalkeeper’s potential move to Barcelona, but recent reports indicate a greater likelihood of him ending up in the Blaugrana squad for the next season.
Joan Garcia decides to join Barcelona
In fact, the latest update from Mundo Deportivo regarding this operation claims that Garcia has already decided to join Barcelona, and took this decision after a meeting with his agents and family in a restaurant in the city of Barcelona last night.
Following this meeting, the goalkeeper is clear that the Blaugrana club remains the best-suited destination for him to continue growing as a player.
With the goalie’s mind now made up, the next step would be to prepare the final draft for his contract with the Azulgrana side. The goalkeeper is set to sign a five-year contract with the Catalan side.
Next steps in the operation
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
There are already some drafts, but they need to be translated into a legally binding agreement, and the player’s agents are asking for maximum guarantees from Barcelona that there will be no problems registering Garcia.
Following the approval of the contract, the decisive part of the operation will come, i.e., the payment of his €25 million release clause. Espanyol have been clear that they would not lower this amount, especially for Barcelona, and the Blaugranes have been the only side that has shown its willingness to pay the full release clause.
Thus, despite the pressure from his current club, Joan Garcia seems set to join Barcelona, and it remains to be seen how this move will impact other goalkeepers, especially Marc-Andre ter Stegen.