Although the FC Barcelona players are either enjoying their holidays or are busy training and playing with their respective national teams, the Blaugrana Sporting Department is working tirelessly to eliminate some of the weaknesses in their team ahead of the next season.
One of the positions that the Catalans wanted to address with the highest priority was that of the goalkeeper, and for this purpose, they have been linked with the RCD Espanyol goalie Joan Garcia quite closely in the last few weeks.
There is no doubt that the Spaniard would be an exciting addition to the Barcelona squad, and recent reports indicate that he is quite close to joining Hansi Flick’s team.
Barcelona target’s lawyer visits club offices
In fact, the latest report from Mundo Deportivo in this regard claims that his lawyer, Ramon Valencia, arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva at noon today, and he is exchanging documents with the club as a step prior to paying Garcia’s €25 million release clause.
This development means that the operation to sign Joan Garcia is reaching its final stages, and the payment of the release clause will be the next major step in this regard.
There is no need to negotiate with RCD Espanyol, as the Catalan club had already publicly declared that the goalkeeper will be allowed to leave only after the full payment of his release clause.
Furthermore, the Blaugranes will also have to pay their part of the taxes, and their total expenditure on this operation would be €26.4 million.
Joan Garcia will be the starting goalkeeper
BARCELONA, SPAIN - MAY 24: Joan Garcia of RCD Espanyol poses for a photo following the LaLiga match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and UD Las Palmas at RCDE Stadium on May 24, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain.
(Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Spanish shot-stopper has committed to playing the next five seasons with Barcelona, and everything has been agreed with him. He wants to take the next step in his career and has opted for the Catalan club despite having offers from some other big clubs across Europe.
His arrival would signify a generational change in the Barcelona goal, as he would be the preferred starter, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen would have a highly uncertain future at the club.