Espanyol’s Joan Garcia, Barcelona’s top goalkeeping target, has outlined a critical condition that could complicate his potential summer move to the Catalan giants.
The club is targeting the 24-year-old player to push for the deal due to the new keeper’s €25 million release clause.
What is a seemingly straightforward transfer appears to be anything but, with the requirements from the player, coupled with FC Barcelona’s current goalkeeper ocean posing significant obstacles that may change the course of their plans.
Joan Garcia, Espanyol’s first-class keeper, has put a significant condition on his move, according to SER Deportivos.
Garcia has firmly stated to FC Barcelona that he will only move to a club in which he will be the ‘no drach’ number one keeper with no debate.
This is a problem given FC Barcelona’s current prospect, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, remains the recognised number one keeper.
Furthermore, Wojciech Szczesny is likely to extend his contract, which Garcia cannot compete for.
The best case for Barcelona is Ter Stegen leaving, but the 33-year-old club captain appears to have no intention of leaving and is unlikely to leave, making over €35m per season.
Espanyol do not want to leave a late transfer, and have increased Garcia’s release clause to €30m in the final week of the window to avoid any delays.
Barcelona is aware that Ter Stegen is a major impediment to Garcia’s path, and is trying to push a resolution to their ongoing talks, knowing that they would like to have an answer by early next week.
As the talks continue to unfold, Garcia will base his decision on whether Barcelona can guarantee him regular playing time, and if he accepts an agreement, that will force Barcelona to rethink their goalkeeping situation.
This transfer situation illustrates the desire of the club to bring in the next future player, while navigating a complex squad situation, and with what appears to be a clear timeframe to get this decision sorted before their season begins.
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