FC Barcelona approaches the commencement of improving their squad for the 2025-26 season by buying a player from rivals Espanyol.
After finalizing details of a move for a highly-rated goalkeeper, Barcelona will continue adding to their squad.
Barcelona has chosen to make an early signing, looking to solve their long-term future in goal, while they are currently dealing with a great deal of uncertainty surrounding all their existing goalkeeping options.
García’s future is now on the verge of being officially secured, and it appears the club is seriously investing as part of their planning.
The player in question is 24-year-old Joan García Gladich, Espanyol’s goalkeeper.
He has been one of the best performers in La Liga this past season, and is becoming a developing goalkeeper who is seen as having potential to keep getting better.
According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, García’s agents are flying to Barcelona today to finalize the player transfer, which is one of the most valued signings for Barcelona.
The club will be activating Joan García’s €25 million release clause, and he is expected to sign a five-year contract with the Catalan club, which will keep him at the club until June 2030.
García’s performances for Espanyol last season in 2022-23 in La Liga, featuring a league-high of 146 saves from 149 shots on target, have seen him become an obvious target for teams, especially with interest from a number of English Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Newcastle United.
García’s arrival brings up possibilities for Barcelona’s goalkeeping pecking order, which could threaten Marc-André ter Stegen’s status as the first-choice goalkeeper.
García is said to be viewed as an eventual starter, but he will still face competition for the No. 1 position.
The transfer reflects Barcelona’s desire to invest in young players with real top-flight experience, to provide stability in goal for the foreseeable future.
It also indicates, with the club still trying to navigate Financial Fair Play, the level at which the club can go after their primary targets for the upcoming season.
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