The name of Joan García has been one of the most resonant in Barça key in recent days. And how not? The 24-year-old goalkeeper, one of the best goalkeepers of the 2024/25 season in LaLiga EA Sports, is positioned as one of the main candidates to strengthen the Blaugrana goal. However, in principle, it does not seem like an easy operation to tackle.
- JOAN GARCÍA'S NUMBERS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON WITH RCD ESPANYOL: 38 appearances, eight clean sheets and 51 goals conceded. He led LaLiga EA Sports with a total of 138 saves.
And yes, Joan García is not only of interest to the culé team —a club with which it was even speculated that he had an agreement in principle—, but also to teams from the Premier League and Serie A. In turn, it must be taken into account that his card belongs to RCD Espanyol, one of the great sporting rivals of Barça, and that he will hardly prioritize reinforcing a direct competitor.
Espanyol sets firm conditions to let Joan García leave
The position of RCD Espanyol is quite clear regarding the player's departure: they refer to his termination clause, set at 25 million euros. This was made clear by Fran Garagarza, sporting director of the 'perico' team, who in his most recent appearance —during the press conference to assess the season— stated:
"The clubs that are interested in one of our assets, in this case Joan, it is quite obvious or quite clear what the figures are. Whoever wants him knows what there is. There will not be much debate. There is a contract, there is a figure, that's it."
An appearance in which, by the way, all his statements about Joan García invited us to think about the complexities that any club that wants to undertake this operation will face:
ABOUT THE OFFERS TO SIGN JOAN GARCÍA:
"There has been no official approach from any club. I think we have a top-level asset, a player who belongs to Espanyol, top at a personal and professional level. And we are calm. The club that is interested in Joan knows that there is a figure. We already demonstrated it with some other player in the summer of my arrival and it does not have to be different this time. He is worth it."
"We are talking about hypotheses. Things are taken for granted that are not so clear. As of today there is nothing concrete regarding Joan, there is nothing official. What could there be? Let's see. What we are not going to do is undersell one of the great assets we have. We have to defend the club and respect what Espanyol is. That is the message: maximum calm. We have a player with a contract (until 2028), a player who has a much greater value than his figures say."
Joan García on his possible incorporation to Barça
In the midst of all this whirlwind of rumors about his future, Joan García himself has had the opportunity to speak on a couple of occasions to talk briefly about his current situation. First, last Tuesday, in statements to 'Catalunya Ràdio', he commented:
"In the end in football, every two by three, news is coming out, things are coming out. From there to being reality... it is not always like that. But well, I tell you, I am very calm and then what should be decided, I will surely think about it a lot with my people and choosing what will be best for me... and it will surely be like that"
Likewise, he did not close the door to an incorporation to Barcelona, by stating:
"It would not be a problem to face Espanyol. It would also be nice. These are things that can happen, but I try to look for the positive side of things and, if it happens, I would take it with enthusiasm."
Joan García: calm, reflection and doubts after the rumors of the interest of the Blaugrana team
The second occasion was this Wednesday, in the preview of the friendly match of the Catalan national team —in which he will be the starting goalkeeper, along with culé players such as Eric García, Gerard Martín and Pau Víctor—. There, he pointed out: "These are things that do not only depend on me. I am an Espanyol player. If an offer arrives at the club and they like it, and also me, we will talk."
Despite the constant rumors, Joan García was "very calm", although he is aware that "many things are coming out from many teams". And he added: "Now I want to rest a little after finishing the season, be with my people and decide what is best for me."
He also recalled that the final decision is not entirely in his hands: "It depends on many factors, not only on me. We have to decide." And he stressed that he has not reflected deeply on how a possible signing for Barcelona could affect him being an Espanyol player: "I have not thought about it. I am very calm, focused on my thoughts and feelings."
Added to this, he expressed that what he wants is to have "a lot of calm" and "enjoy a few days with my family", and admitted that the whirlwind has been so intense that it has led him to stay "a little isolated" from everything that is being said.
A complex operation: The García-Barcelona union remains in doubt
These are, for now, the latest news about the possible arrival of Joan García to FC Barcelona. An incorporation that, although attractive for the Blaugrana team, does not seem to be the easiest to specify due to the multiple economic and sporting complexities involved. As always, the market will have the last word.