It’s being reported that current Barcelona No.1, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, is extremely unhappy with the club as they get set to welcome Joan Garcia.
Across town at Espanyol, the 24-year-old has continued to earn the plaudits for his goalkeeping prowess, despite the Periquitos enduring an awful season in 2024/25.
Twelve months ago Arsenal were interested in his services, and the Gunners were mentioned again as a possible destination after rumours began circulating that David Raya wanted to return to Spain.
Yet Garcia has now agreed a deal with Barcelona, and one can assume that he isn’t going to give up his position as a number one to play second fiddle to anyone else.
Catalona v Costa Rica - Friendly Match Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images
To that end, one can understand the German keeper’s ire, particularly as he was only just getting back from a serious injury.
At 33, Ter Stegen is nine years Garcia’s senior, however, goalkeepers are known to be able to continue their careers for many years after their outfield contemporaries have to hang up their boots.
His shot stopping abilities have never been in question, though there has often been issues in terms of his distribution, something that Garcia excels at.
In what is a World Cup year, the likelihood of Ter Stegen accepting being Garcia’s deputy is miniscule, and to that end there’s every chance that the German will have to move on.
Barcelona’s position isn’t clear as yet, though even if they were to accede to any transfer request, they’re unlikely to allow him to leave on the cheap.
Germany Training Session And Press Conference Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images
That could narrow down his potential suitors quite significantly and then leave the club in the unfortunate situation of having three goalkeepers on the books if Inaki Pena departs but Wojciech Szczesny stays.
Given that the club could do with some money in club coffers, maybe there is a deal to be done if all parties are agreeable.
How Barca approach Ter Stegen in order to curry favour will ultimately decide which way this situation is likely to go.
As club captain, the keeper would have every right to dig his heels in and make life difficult, and in so doing that could scupper the chance for the club to be able to register Garcia before the start of the 25/26 campaign.
What’s always been an amicable marriage looks to be heading for a messy divorce...