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Analysis
- 6 hours ago
Top Arsenal target Joan Garcia agrees terms with Barcelona
Tom Weber
- Updated: 31 May 2025 09:03 CDT
- 4 min read
Breaking
Barcelona have agreed personal terms with Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia, dealing a massive blow to Arsenal.
The 24-year-old has become one of Europe's most sought-after shot-stoppers over the past year. Garcia helped Espanyol secure promotion back to LaLiga in 2023/24 and then kept them in the top flight in the bygone campaign.
Already last summer, Arsenal were concretely interested in securing his signature, but the move collapsed when the Gunners refused to pay the €25 million fee stipulated in his release clause.
Current ETV
Joan García
GK
Espanyol
Joan García
GK
Espanyol
ETV Range
€22M - €26.8M
Garcia was reportedly devastated that a move to England fell through. In fact, as recently as Monday, transfer insider Matteo Moretto claimed that the Spaniard was holding out for a move to the Premier League.
However, a lot can change in a week, and there has now been a breakthrough in the talks over Garcia's future.
Barcelona agree Garcia terms
According to Ben Jacobs, Barcelona have agreed personal terms with the goalkeeper of their city rivals Espanyol. Earlier on Saturday, it was revealed by the Spanish press that talks between the player and the Blaugrana were 'advanced.'
Garcia, it seems, has given the green light for a switch to the LaLiga champions, which means that a move could now develop swiftly due to his release clause. While a deal is not done yet, Jacobs states that Barcelona are the clear favourites to sign him now.
This move will also have huge implications for the goalkeeper situation at Barcelona. When news of the Catalans' interest first broke, it was claimed that they would initially prefer to loan out Garcia.
However, this no longer appears to be the case as Barcelona have begun trying to push Marc-Andre Ter Stegen out of the club over the past 48 hours. Garcia is understood to be keen to be the undisputed No.1 at his next club.
According to Sky Germany, Ter Stegen is well aware of what is going on around him right now, but the Germany international reportedly has no intention of leaving the club.
Compatriot and head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly refusing to take a side, while Barcelona president Joan Laporta is said to be heavily pushing for Ter Stegen to leave. Meanwhile, the club are planning to extend the contract of Wojciech Szczesny.
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