Joan García, a 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper from Espanyol, has become one of the hottest names in the transfer market, catching the eye of several big clubs—including FC Barcelona. Recent reports say the Blaugrana, coached by Hansi Flick, are ready to back García as the next man to replace Marc-André ter Stegen, whose starting spot is uncertain because of a recent injury and his age (33). His release clause is around 25 million euros (about 27 million dollars), though that could go up depending on contract variables and if he gets called up to the Spanish national team.

Interest across Europe and the Premier League

Joan García stands out with his height (1.91 m), LaLiga experience, and ability to make key saves—exactly the profile Barça wants: a young keeper with good physical presence and proven top-level experience. This interest is backed by sources like journalist Sergio Escario from MD and Xavier Andreu, the communication director at Espanyol, who expects García to leave soon since his transfer would bring big money to the club. Joan himself has said he’s open to taking the next step in his career, even though he still loves Espanyol and its fans.

But Barcelona isn’t the only team after García. In England, Premier League clubs like Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Bournemouth have shown serious interest. German side Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli, the current Serie A champions, are also in the mix. García’s agents, who also represent players like Dani Olmo, are juggling these options while Barça waits to decide their squad depending on the renewal or not of their current starter, Wojciech Szczęsny, who hasn’t yet responded to an extension offer.

A key decision for the future

For Joan García, this is a huge decision. The chance to play for a club fighting for national and international titles, plus the possibility of a Spain call-up, makes Barça’s offer very tempting—even with the historic rivalry between Espanyol and Barça. His performances this season have been crucial in keeping Espanyol in LaLiga, and his future will be sorted out in the next few weeks amid high expectations and several market options.

In short, Joan García looks like a future bet for FC Barcelona and other top European clubs, with a release clause close to 27 million dollars reflecting his market value. His signing would give Hansi Flick a “good problem” in goal, ensuring quality backup for Ter Stegen and a competition that would raise the level of Barça’s goalkeeping for years to come.