Joan Garcia, Espanyol’s standout goalkeeper, has yet to decide on his next move despite strong interest from Barcelona and Arsenal. The 24-year-old impressed throughout a challenging season, finishing with the highest number of saves in La Liga (146) and earning Espanyol’s Dani Jarque award for best player. Despite this, Espanyol seem prepared to lose their number one this summer amid competition for his signature.
Last year, Arsenal appeared close to signing Garcia, but talks collapsed when they failed to meet Espanyol’s demands. More recently, Barcelona have reportedly moved ahead in the race, with claims the Catalan club has reached an agreement in principle. However, Garcia remains cautious, stating he will carefully consider all options before making a decision.
Barcelona face a dilemma as Marc-André ter Stegen remains their first-choice keeper, so the plan is reportedly to sign Garcia and loan him out to another La Liga side next season, with Real Betis and Valencia among potential destinations. Head coach Hansi Flick declined to comment on the transfer rumors, emphasizing his current goalkeeping lineup.
Espanyol’s coach Manolo Gonzalez urged Garcia to think carefully before moving to Barcelona, citing Ter Stegen’s presence and the rivalry between the clubs. Gonzalez emphasized the importance of Garcia continuing to play regularly rather than joining a team where he might be benched for reputation alone. With a €25 million (£21m) release clause still in place, Garcia’s decision this summer will be crucial for his career trajectory.