Barça's formula to avoid another 'Olmo case' with Joan García

Published New:4/06/2025 - 22:59h

Updated New:5/06/2025 - 00:04h

Joan García will be Barça's first summer signing. Although his registration will take at least until July, the board has everything sorted out to avoid any issues with LaLiga Santander

FC Barcelona has everything finalized for Joan García to become Barça's goalkeeper for the next five seasons. The board will pay the 25 million euros of his release clause to Espanyol, although the Sallent native's registration will officially join Barça's squad, probably in July.

The reason is very simple. For now, the club doesn't have sufficient 'Fair Play' (FFP) to register players. The club hopes to return shortly to the 1:1 rule thanks to the sale of the 475 VIP seats at the Spotify Camp Nou, an operation pending approval from Barça's auditor Crowe.

Furthermore, the wage bill freed up by Ansu Fati's departure to Monaco, along with two other market operations, will give Barça enough margin to amortize the registration of Joan García, who will earn a gross salary of around 6 million euros.

Barça's Ace Up Their Sleeve to Sign Joan García

The other two operations involve the transfers of Álex Valle and Jean Clair Todibo to Como and West Ham, respectively. In total, both sales will bring a net 14 million euros into Barça's coffers.

In principle, Barça needs around €11 million to complete Joan García's registration: €5 million from his transfer fee (which is amortized over the duration of the contract) and the €6 million corresponding to his gross salary.

This way, just with the income from the sales of Todibo and Valle, it will be enough to avoid new headaches, as was the case last season with the signings of Dani Olmo and Pau Víctor.

What is the key to this operation? Returning to the 1:1 rule. Only in this way can Barça reinvest every euro earned in the market on new signings. Along with Ansu's departure, the club must also resolve Clément Lenglet's situation shortly.

The Frenchman earns €16 million gross annually, the main obstacle to finalizing his permanent move to Atlético de Madrid. To this could be added other small windfalls from future sales of other former Barça players, but most of these deals might only be finalized in the final stretch of the summer transfer window.

Barça Board to Seek More Reinforcements in July

Once Joan García's signing is completed, the Barça board plans to make at least a couple more signings. Deco and Joan Laporta prioritize bringing in another left winger, but the option to sign another full-back is also open.

However, there is no rush, and there is total confidence in the available squad. Work is also underway on the departure of players like Pablo Torre and Pau Víctor, two players certain to be offloaded for the 25/26 season due to stiff competition for a spot in attack.

In fact, with the signing of the Espanyol goalkeeper, another who could leave is Marc-André ter Stegen, although the club will by no means pressure the captain to accept a possible transfer and/or loan.