Barcelona’s summer spending under Hansi Flick is beginning to take shape as the new manager outlines key areas for reinforcement.
Following an incredible season that saw the club win a domestic treble, the Catalans are now wanting to strengthen their squad even more.
One of Flick’s top priorities is securing a reliable goalkeeper, with long-term concerns surrounding consistency and injuries in that position at the forefront of planning.
After several names were assessed, one particular standout option emerged from across town — and Barcelona are now making a decisive move.
According to multiple reports in Spain, Barcelona are set to activate the €25 million release clause of Joan Garcia, Espanyol’s breakout star between the posts.
The 23-year-old keeper has been nothing short of exceptional this season, playing a pivotal role in helping Espanyol maintain their La Liga status with standout performances, despite being the club’s lowest-paid first-team player on just €300,000 per year.
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His rapid rise took even his own club by surprise, and their failure to renew his contract on improved terms has opened the door for their bitter rivals to swoop in.
Joan Garcia will reportedly receive a tenfold salary increase upon completing the move to Barcelona, with his new wages expected to reach €3 million per year, excluding performance-related bonuses, as per SPORT.
While the transfer is likely to stir controversy among Espanyol supporters due to the nature of the rivalry, Garcia is said to be focused on the opportunity to compete for major honours and take the No. 1 shirt at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Flick sees Garcia as the ideal fit for his system — a young, agile shot-stopper capable of playing out from the back and commanding his area.
With the deal progressing rapidly, Garcia is poised to become the first official signing in this transfer window, setting the tone for a busy summer at Camp Nou as Barcelona aim to return to the summit of European football.
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