Barcelona land Joan Garcia in €26m deal as Ter Stegen’s future in doubt

Barcelona have announced their first official signing for the 2025–26 season. The Catalan giants confirmed the arrival of Espanyol’s 24-year-old goalkeeper Joan Garcia in a deal worth €26.34 million. The young shot-stopper has signed a six-year contract, a move that strongly signals Barcelona’s intent to usher in a new era in goal.

Release clause paid directly to La Liga

The transfer did not follow the usual negotiation path but was completed via the release clause in Garcia’s contract. The process was overseen by Barcelona’s corporate director Manel del Rio, and Garcia’s representative visited La Liga’s central office last Friday to deposit the €25 million buyout fee, which totalled €26.34 million with inflation adjustments. As per Spanish transfer regulations, the release clause was activated directly by the player’s legal representatives rather than the buying club — a formal process required by La Liga and FIFA statutes. On Monday, La Liga officially notified Espanyol that the transfer had been completed.

Six-year deal and €3 million salary

According to the official announcement, Joan Garcia has signed a six-season contract with Barcelona, with an annual salary of approximately €3 million. According to AS, Garcia was earning around €400,000 per year at Espanyol before his move, making the Barcelona deal a significant financial upgrade. The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place on Friday with club president Joan Laporta in attendance. Garcia’s first statements are expected to be released via the club’s media channels.

Premier League offers rejected in favour of guaranteed role

According to ESPN, Joan Garcia received serious offers from several Premier League clubs during the transfer window. Initially hesitant about a move to Barcelona, the young keeper was seeking assurances of regular playing time. Barcelona management made it clear he would take over the starting role next season and that Marc-André ter Stegen could leave. It was this assurance that convinced Garcia to reject Premier League offers in favour of a move to Barcelona.

Ter Stegen may leave: a new direction in the squad

According to AS, president Joan Laporta has brought Ter Stegen’s future onto the board’s agenda following the Garcia transfer. Although the German keeper is under contract until 2028, the prospect of losing his starting spot has reportedly led him to seriously consider a departure.

The rise of Joan Garcia: from Espanyol to Barça

Born in 2001, Garcia came through Espanyol’s academy. After successful seasons with the B team, he became the first-choice goalkeeper for the senior side in the 2023–24 campaign. His real breakthrough came in 2024–25, playing all 38 La Liga matches, conceding 51 goals and keeping 8 clean sheets. With 146 saves, he finished the season as the league’s top shot-stopper, averaging 3.84 saves per match and playing a key role in Espanyol’s survival.

Why this move makes technical sense

Joan Garcia’s standout quality is not just shot-stopping but being an active part of the build-up. He is excellent with the ball at his feet, stays calm under pressure, and initiates play safely with short passes. Rather than a traditional shot-stopper, he represents the kind of goalkeeper who contributes to Barcelona’s possession-based game.

Having led Barcelona to the La Liga title in his first season, Hansi Flick now has a settled system. His style relies on building from the back and combining it with quick transitions. In such a system, a goalkeeper who can use the ball effectively is crucial. Flick’s high defensive line also demands a goalkeeper who can sweep behind the backline — a role Garcia appears well-suited for thanks to his speed and anticipation. Garcia, with his reflexes, positional awareness, and communication with the backline, appears to be a perfect fit.

Attracting attention across Europe

Garcia’s rise has not gone unnoticed outside Spain. According to ESPN, Manchester City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa all listed Garcia as a transfer target. This interest reflects his appeal not just through statistics, but also his alignment with modern goalkeeping demands.

For Barcelona, this transfer represents more than just acquiring a new goalkeeper — it is an investment in a player who embodies the club’s footballing identity. The unveiling will mark a symbolic moment for Garcia — a lifelong Espanyol product now stepping into the spotlight at their cross-city rivals, where expectations will be significantly higher. Garcia is expected to speak for the first time as a Barcelona player during Friday’s unveiling, with coverage set to be published across the club’s official channels.