Barcelona have reportedly been given the green light to sign Joan García from city rivals Espanyol, having triggered his release clause and reached a personal agreement with the player.
Sporting director Deco and the club’s transfer team were instrumental in convincing the highly rated Spanish goalkeeper to stay in the city, fending off strong interest from Premier League sides Arsenal and Chelsea, and Italian teams who were both pushing for a move.
Joan Garcia arrival leaves Barcelona in uncomfortable position
Once the García deal is finalised, Barcelona will find themselves facing a delicate situation involving their goalkeeping ranks. The club will have three international keepers on the books - Joan García, Wojciech Szczęsny, and Marc-André ter Stegen.
Current indications suggest the Polish veteran, who came out of retirement to join Barça, is expected to sign a two-year extension and remain in a backup role. That leaves ter Stegen in limbo, a surprising twist for a player who, just weeks ago, was preparing to reclaim his No. 1 spot and captain the side after recovering from a serious knee injury. With no intention of leaving, the club now faces a dilemma in managing both expectations and duties.
Tensions have quietly escalated behind the scenes, with reports indicating that Marc-André ter Stegen has been left "outraged" by his recent treatment at Barcelona. At the heart of the frustration appears to be a serious breakdown in communication, paired with what the player reportedly sees as a lack of respect for his loyalty and service. After nearly a decade of dedication and countless contributions to the club, such disregard is bound to sting.
Empathy can often feel like a rarity in modern football, but thedomestic treble winnersmust show exactly that if they’re to manage this delicate situation before it spirals further.
The club now faces a difficult balancing act with two high-profile goalkeepers: one a long-serving captain and the other a recent signing who cost a significant chunk of the transfer budget. A summer exit for ter Stegen could now be on the table, a move that would offer him regular football elsewhere while allowing Barcelona to recoup a fee and reduce their wage bill.
Ter Stegen won’t be short of options if he decides to move on. Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for his signature, providing they can offload André Onana, while Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are also monitoring the situation closely.
No matter what comes next, any potential transfer must be handled with care by Barcelona's hierarchy. Mishandling the exit of a club legend with six La Liga titles and a Champions League crown to his name risks souring his legacy. With a large portion of the fanbase still firmly in his corner, a poorly managed departure could lead to growing unrest among the Culers.