Joan García, a 24-year-old goalkeeper, has become one of the most desired names for the upcoming transfer window. His outstanding season with Espanyol in 2024/25 has left many clubs watching his future closely. It's no wonder: he has proved to be a reliable, agile, and trustworthy guardian between the posts, which has earned him praise and recognition.
His performance has put giants like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid on alert, but they're not the only ones keeping an eye on him. Premier League teams are also monitoring his progress. However, only one will be able to secure his services.
Barça takes the lead: a rival drops out of the race
For weeks, the battle for Joan García seemed wide open. Newcastle United, a club with significant financial muscle, had shown interest, but according to recent reports, their coach Eddie Howe has decided to change his target to strengthen the goal. His priority now is James Trafford, Burnley's goalkeeper.
This decision is a breath of fresh air for Barcelona. Without pressure from Newcastle, the blaugrana club can step up their efforts to convince the goalkeeper. In fact, there's already talk of a formal offer: a five-year contract with incentives that include a special bonus if Joan debuts with the Spanish national team.
Espanyol keeps firm and protects their star
But the story won't be simple. Espanyol isn't willing to make it easy for one of their most valuable players to leave, especially to a direct rival like Barça. Manolo González, Espanyol's coach, was clear about it: he doesn't believe Joan will end up signing for the blaugranas and made it clear that the club will do everything possible to prevent it.
This adds a layer of uncertainty to the operation. Espanyol knows what their goalkeeper is worth and they'll defend him fiercely. That's why any move will have to be very well calculated.
Joan García has the final say
Amidst this entire battle, Joan García is the one who has the final say. The goalkeeper isn't closing the door on wearing Barça's jersey, but he's not limiting himself either. Other clubs like Arsenal or Aston Villa have shown interest and could be attractive options.
What Joan values most is getting minutes and sporting stability. He's looking for a project where he can grow, compete, and be a protagonist. In that sense, Barça faces a dilemma: they already have two goalkeepers of good quality, and a leading role for Joan isn't guaranteed.