FC Barcelona is activated behind the scenes to strengthen its workforce, and Joan García, goalkeeper of Espanyol, is about to become the first new face of the coming season.
For several days, a persistent rumor has been working on Catalan football circles. Indeed, FC Barcelona would have raised the liberating clause of Joan García, the promising goalkeeper of the Espanyol. But without official confirmation of the Blaugrana club, doubt still hovered. It was ultimately the Rastar Group, holder of 99.6 % of the Espanyol shares, which broke the silence at the start of the week. In a public declaration, the group confirmed that Barça had indeed started the process to attach the services of the young porter. A statement that rekindled speculation, even if confirmation of the Liga, essential in this type of transfer, was still expected to seal the operation.
Latest details before formalization by La Liga
The administrative machine is underway, but everything is not yet official. Laliga, which manages the registration of contracts and transfers, confirmed that it was informed of the payment of the clause by FC Barcelona. However, a few steps remain to be crossed so that the transfer is definitively validated. According to sources close to the Catalan club, the formal announcement of the arrival of Joan García could take place in the next few days, as soon as the association has completed its verification process. Unless there is a turnaround, the young goalkeeper will therefore become the first summer recruit of Barça, symbolizing both the renewal wanted by Hansi Flick and the club's will to bet on local youth.
