Why Joan Garcia’s Move to Barcelona May Lead the Club into a New Crisis

As of this writing, Barcelona has yet to officially announce the acquisition of goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals Espanyol under a six-year contract, but an official statement is anticipated imminently.

Upon touching down at Barcelona’s El Prat airport, the shot-stopper found himself the centre of attention from keen-eyed journalists. “I’m already home,” he remarked with a grin. “I’m happy to be back from my holiday; I had a wonderful time. Now, I’m right here, at home.” He was understandably tight-lipped about further details.

LaLiga has verified that the €25 million release clause for the talented 24-year-old has been triggered, and he is set to become a formidable competitor for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Inaki Pena, and Wojciech Szczesny. Notably, Garcia was pursued by Arsenal last year.

Barcelona’s interest in him comes as no surprise.

Most Saves in LaLiga 2024/25

Throughout the 2024/25 season, Garcia achieved an impressive total of 146 saves, the highest in LaLiga, boasting a remarkable save percentage of 73.7%.

He completed 19 out of 20 attempted sweeper actions accurately, achieving a remarkable accuracy rate of 95%. His distribution, particularly with short passes from the back—a crucial aspect of Barcelona’s style—was equally proficient, with an impressive 92.3% completion rate.

With 1,256 possession passes, Garcia’s defensive workload for Los Periquitos was evident, and despite a lacklustre season for the team as a whole, he exits with his head held high.

Barcelona is poised to witness Garcia’s prime years, and barring injuries, he could very well remain between the posts for at least the next decade. This translates to a cost-effective €2.5 million per season if he stays with the club until 2035/36, making him a shrewd acquisition.

Garcia showcases an array of qualities—sharp reflexes and commanding authority in the box—essential for modern goalkeepers aiming to succeed at the top level.

However, Garcia’s arrival may potentially lead to complications.

Is Ter Stegen Staying at Barcelona?

There were reports indicating that ter Stegen had agreed on personal terms with Galatasaray. Yet prominent Spanish media sources suggest that he is discontented with how he has been treated following a lengthy injury lay-off and might now choose to stay at the club (or demand his entire contract be paid off to leave).

This situation would mean Barcelona would struggle to unload ter Stegen’s annual salary of €6.3 million, especially when Garcia’s reported salary will be approximately €3 million. The repercussions on the club’s transfer ambitions and their capacity to secure targets are quite apparent.

Should this scenario unfold, it invokes memories of Frenkie de Jong’s situation. The Dutch midfielder has always been a crucial part of the squad, but his hefty €19 million yearly salary—negotiated by the previous management—has been a significant reason behind attempts to offload him over the past transfer windows.

It’s remarkable that the first-team squad has rebounded so impressive recently, coming close to an unprecedented third treble of league, cup, and Champions League titles, especially considering the financial challenges the club has faced.

What’s Next for Wojciech Szczesny?

Joan Laporta, Deco, and Hansi Flick now have pressing issues to resolve if ter Stegen opts to remain and contest for his position. This decision would also impact Wojciech Szczesny’s future.

Last season, Szczesny stepped in during ter Stegen’s absence, performing fairly well after coming out of retirement to support Barcelona during a challenging period.

Although he made a few high-profile blunders—most notably his error in the game against Benfica—Szczesny recorded a flawless 100% for sweeper actions along with an immaculate performance for saves from shots outside the area.

In total, he made 38 saves across 22 appearances, none of which resulted in a loss. While this does not rival Garcia’s statistics, one must consider how dominant Barcelona’s offensive play was in comparison to an Espanyol team that often battled against relegation and relied heavily on their keeper.

Szczesny’s pass completion rate of 87.5% was also respectable, albeit still trailing behind Garcia’s remarkable performance.

No Room for Inaki Pena at Barcelona

Then there’s Inaki Pena, the 26-year-old who has been with the club for an extended period and previously served as a reliable alternative for ter Stegen during past injuries.

All indications point to his departure this summer rather than staying on for another season to sit on the bench before his contract expires in summer 2026.

Pena may feel aggrieved by the way he has been sidelined; he made 18 appearances last season but recorded a disappointing save percentage of only 66%.

His flawless record for sweeper actions is on par with Szczesny; however, he does not command his area as effectively as Garcia.

Pena’s commitment to the club is unquestionable, but sentiment holds little weight in football. Aside from a few noteworthy performances—most prominently at Real Madrid during a 4-0 victory—Pena has struggled to make a lasting impact, which has ultimately cost him.

This transition in goalkeeping was possibly inevitable. Yet for a club that has prided itself on being ‘Mes que un club’ and operating with a certain integrity, their business practices lately have left much to be desired.