Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images
As previously reported, Joan Garcia is on the verge of becoming a new FC Barcelona player.
The current RCD Espanyol goalkeeper only needs the Blaugrana to formally pay his €25 million release clause at La Liga’s offices to complete his move to the Catalan club.
Contract terms revised
While all terms with Barcelona have been agreed, there has been a significant change from the original pre-agreement reached a few days ago, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The initial understanding between Garcia and Barça was for a five-season contract until 2030. However, as confirmed by the report, Garcia will now sign a six-season deal, running until 2031.
This revised agreement was reached last week as procedures to finalise the transfer were accelerated. For financial reasons, it was more advantageous for Barcelona to extend the contract by one additional year.
In return, the club improved the financial terms of the deal for the later years of the contract. All parties were satisfied with the new structure.
Joan Garcia is set to join Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Why was it done?
Under La Liga’s latest regulations, the amortisation period for a transfer is capped at five years. However, for Financial Fair Play purposes, a player’s salary must also be considered.
By extending the contract by one year, Barcelona can distribute Garcia’s wages so that he earns slightly less in the earlier seasons and make up for it in the sixth year, by which time the transfer cost will already be fully amortised.
This same strategy was previously used in the contract renewal of Lamine Yamal. Although the intention was to offer a five-year extension, it ultimately became six years to make the deal more viable within the club’s financial framework.
Following a meeting held yesterday at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper between Barcelona officials and Garcia’s agents and lawyer, the only remaining step is the payment of €25 million plus the corresponding adjustment for inflation.
Barcelona plan to complete this procedure in the coming days, though it remains to be seen whether it will happen at the end of this week or the beginning of the next.
Deco and the player’s legal team have already signed all documents that will officially bind Joan Garcia to Barcelona until 2031.