Barça pays Joan Garcia's release clause

Barça had been planning the arrival of Joan Garcia And this Friday, a decisive step was taken. As ARA has been able to confirm, the club has already paid the release clause, an essential requirement to announce the first signing of the 2025-26 season.

Thus, while waiting for the transfer to be made official, the goalkeeper from Sallent becomes a new Barça player until 2031, with a six-year contract, one more than what the two parties had initially negotiated. In this way, the player earns an extra year, but the club can prorate his cost over six seasons and, therefore, have a slightly easier time making room for him within the salary cap.

Garcia, who is 24 years old, swap Espanyol for Barça. In any case, there are still a few steps to take before the signing is final. The Catalan club has given the payment order, but now the money needs to reach La Liga and be validated. Next week, Barça representatives will visit the club's headquarters to sign the paperwork, at which time the club's statement announcing the signing will also be available.

The pending red tape before Joan Garcia becomes a Barça player in all respects.

It's unusual for this step to be taken, because clubs usually agree on the transfer without needing to deposit the release clause with La Liga headquarters. In most transactions, even if a player leaves for the amount of the release clause, the clubs usually agree on the payment, which can be split into installments. But this case is special due to the rivalry between Barça and Espanyol. The blue and white team has refused to negotiate, and the Catalans have been forced to deposit the entire amount, suddenly, with La Liga.

The signing was on the verge of a final decision, pending only the payment, and everything accelerated this Friday. The intention was to make the announcement during the afternoon, but Barça, with steps still to be taken, has opted to wait until early next week.

Joan Garcia's presentation also has no date, which could be next week or wait until the start of preseason in mid-July. The club is in contact with the goalkeeper, who intends to say goodbye to Espanyol with a message or statement on social media before wearing the Barça shirt.

According to sources at Barça who spoke to ARA, the transfer was paid for with money that was in the club's treasury. The same sources admit that Barça, as reported by this newspaper, is negotiating various credit policies with banks to cover other expenses in the coming days.

Signing up Joan Garcia, Barça's new workhorse

Once the payment of the Bagenc goalkeeper's release clause has been resolved, the next step is registration. The transfer market doesn't officially open until July 1st, but the training ground is already working on what's necessary to get Garcia onto the La Liga roster, considering the club doesn't have any available players. fair play until further notice.

It would be enough to Ter Stegen's departure, but it is an issue that will not be resolved in the short term. Therefore, while they look ahead to a new summer of financial difficulties, the Barça officials have taken precautions by agreeing to a long-term, increasing contract with Garcia. He will be the only one. Initially, the club hopes to close the renewal of Wojciech Szczęsny, who has been offered a one-year contract with an optional one. Strengthen the forward line, although the signing of the Colombian will not be easy: the team grid would ask for between 80 and 100 million, money that Barça currently does not have unless it closes a big sale this summer.