Barça have completed their first signing for next season and Joan García will be the new goalkeeper for the culé squad. The goalkeeper, who has had an excellent season with Espanyol, has convinced the sporting management and the coaching staff, who see him as Ter Stegen's replacement. The club believes it's time to renew the goalkeeping position and Joan fits the new profile Hansi Flick is looking for.
Joan García arrives with hunger, youth, and a play style that's very well suited to what the new project demands: good footwork, quick reflexes on the line, and personality. In addition, his knowledge of La Liga and his performance under pressure have made him one of the revelations of the championship. The decision to go for him responds to the need to rejuvenate the position.
The clause will be paid next week
The signing will become official next week, when Barça pay the €25 million ($27.2 million) release clause set in his contract with Espanyol. There will be no negotiation or room for the perico club: Barça will execute the clause directly, as has been agreed internally. Joan García, therefore, will be culé and will sign for five seasons with the intention of establishing himself as the new guardian of the blaugrana goal.
There is excitement in the club about this move, as they believe it's an investment for the future. At just 23 years old, Joan has room for improvement and can become a key figure for the coming sporting cycles. The transition with Ter Stegen will be handled with caution, but the goal is for Joan to become the starter as soon as possible and usher in a new era between the posts at Camp Nou.
Barça negotiate a sale
Meanwhile, Deco is also working on closing outgoing deals, and one of them is Clement Lenglet's. The French center-back has played this season on loan at Atlético de Madrid, and Simeone values his profile as a good complement for his defense. Barça, meanwhile, want to part ways with the player permanently this summer.
Barça's initial idea is to bring in around €10 million ($10.9 million) for his transfer, a figure they consider reasonable given his age and experience. Talks have already begun with Atlético to negotiate that sale, and Deco hopes to close the deal as soon as possible.
Lenglet only wants to leave for free
However, according to El Nacional, Lenglet is pushing to leave for free. The French player believes that if he's granted a letter of freedom, he could negotiate a better salary with Atlético and thus make the deal happen quickly. The French center-back understands that he's not in Barça's plans and is looking for an exit that benefits all parties.
The problem is that Barça aren't willing, for now, to let him go without financial compensation. With the accounts in the red and every euro being crucial, giving up a sale like Lenglet's without income isn't in the plans. The situation will be solved in the coming days, but for now there are still discrepancies between the player's intentions and those of Barça.