Barça has closed the transfer window with an unexpected calm. There were no last-minute surprises and the squad was practically finalized weeks ago. However, what hadn't been known until now is that there was a move behind the scenes that could've changed everything.
It wasn't about the Fermín operation, nor any of the expected departures. The surprise had to do with the new blaugrana goalkeeper, Joan García, who arrived this summer from Espanyol.
The Catalan goalkeeper, a hero in Vallecas with a decisive performance, has become the player of the moment at Barça. His reflexes and reliability between the posts have convinced the fans and Flick, but they've also attracted attention beyond our borders. Meanwhile, the strongest interest came from England.
United was urgently looking for a goalkeeper
Manchester United had lost trust in André Onana. Amorim, the "red devils" coach, sidelined the Cameroonian and demanded that the board bring in a top-level goalkeeper.
The list of candidates opened with several names, including Dibu Martínez and the young Senne Lemmens. But there was one who stood out above the rest: Joan García.
According to sources close to United, the English club was willing to break the market to get him. Barça signed him for €30 million just three months ago, but from Old Trafford they made an offer impossible to ignore: to triple that amount and reach €90 million.
Barça's response
The blaugrana board received the proposal with surprise. Joan García is, as of today, an untouchable piece for the club and one of Laporta's strategic investments. Selling him now would've meant a blow to the sports planning and a reputational mistake after betting heavily on him in the summer.
For this reason, Barça didn't even open talks. They conveyed that the goalkeeper wasn't for sale under any circumstances and that, even if the offer was historic, the priority is to establish him as a reference at Camp Nou. The operation, therefore, was immediately ruled out.
United opts for Lemmens
With the rejection from the blaugrana side, Manchester United sped up other contacts. In the end, all eyes are on Senne Lemmens, a Belgian goalkeeper with a promising future who will arrive at Old Trafford for about €20 million. It's a much cheaper bet and with less risk than Joan García.
Dibu Martínez's name was also on the table, but he was quickly ruled out. United's locker room has gone through too many tensions in recent years and they fear that the Argentine's volcanic character could disrupt the stability Amorim is seeking.
Joan García, morally shielded
Although Barça can't yet boast a contract with astronomical clauses, the trust in Joan García is absolute. They consider him a key piece for both the present and the future, and the immediate response to United's offensive is proof of that.
The bomb deal at the end of the window wasn't Fermín or any other departure. It was Joan García. Laporta has already made it clear that his goalkeeper is untouchable.