Barcelona are finalizing the details to add Joan García, RCD Espanyol's goalkeeper, to their squad. The deal would include a loan to another LaLiga team to ensure his development and playing time. Valencia and Sevilla are being mentioned as possible destinations.
The release clause is kept at €25 million, since he wasn't drafted by the Spanish national team. In that case, it would have increased to €30 million. Luis de la Fuente did Laporta a favor with his draft.
Valencia and Sevilla request his loan
Joan García, 24 years old, has been one of the revelations of the 2024-25 season in LaLiga, standing out for his agility and reflexes between the posts. His performance has attracted the interest of several European clubs, including Real Madrid, but Barça have taken the lead in negotiations.
The Catalan club sees García as a long-term bet for the goal, considering Marc-André ter Stegen's age and recent injuries.
For many, Joan García's loan could mean a victory for ter Stegen, who doesn't welcome competition for the goalkeeper position.
However, to guarantee playing time and continuity in his development, a loan to teams like Valencia or Sevilla is being considered, as they've already offered to secure the loan. There, he could take on a leading role from the start. This strategy would allow Barça to secure the signing of a goalkeeper with great potential without compromising his development.
Espanyol refers interested parties to the €25 million clause
Meanwhile, Espanyol remain firm in referring interested parties to the €25 million release clause. The club's sporting director, Fran Garagarza, has admitted the interest of several national and international clubs in their player.
Joan García himself has remained calm in the face of transfer rumors. He has stated that he hasn't decided anything yet and that it will be a decision shared with the club.
In statements prior to the friendly between Catalunya and Costa Rica, he mentioned that his priority is to get minutes in every match and that he's open to the possibility of a loan.
The deal is shaping up as a strategic move by Barça, who seek to strengthen their squad with young talent and prepare for a change in goal. The final decision could be announced in the coming days. First, the details of the loan must be finalized and the agreement with Espanyol formalized.