Joan García (24 years old) is about to take a decisive step in his career and become the new goalkeeper for FC Barcelona. Just a few days away from formalizing his signing, the current RCD Espanyol goalkeeper is ready to seal his arrival at the blaugrana club. What are the details that have defined this operation?
An agreement reached with Barça
According to information from Mundo Deportivo, Joan García's transfer to Barça is practically finalized. The goalkeeper only needs to formalize the payment of his €25 million release clause in LaLiga to make his signing official.
What seemed to be a five-year agreement has ultimately been modified and will be extended to six seasons. The reason: a financial adjustment that benefits both parties.
The contract extends to 2031
Although it was initially expected that Joan García would sign until 2028, negotiations with FC Barcelona have taken a turn. The blaugrana club has decided to offer him a six-year contract, that is, until 2031. This change took place last week, when the procedures were accelerated to reach an agreement that made more sense economically for Barça.
This type of agreement, in which the contract is extended to make the financial impact more flexible, is not new for the institution. Something similar happened with Lamine Yamal's renewal, where the contract was also extended to six years to better fit the club's salary conditions and financial commitments.
Improvements in the contract terms
The six-season agreement also includes an improvement in the terms for the final years of Joan García's contract. Barça extended the contract and improved the terms to ensure both parties' satisfaction. This way, Barça secures the goalkeeper's stay and aligns with its financial planning.
The signing is just around the corner
The last step to finalize the signing is the deposit of the €25 million release clause (plus the adjustment for the CPI). The operation is scheduled for the coming days, probably at the end of this week or the beginning of the next. At the meeting at Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, Deco and Ramón Valencia, the player's lawyer, were present.
Both parties have signed the documents; only the payment needs to be formalized for Joan García to officially become a Barça player. This signing, in addition to strengthening the culé goal, also reflects Barça's ability to manage its finances efficiently.