La Liga champions Barcelona are reportedly closing in on signing 24-year-old Spanish goalkeeper Joan Garcia from Espanyol in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by SPORT, Joan Garcia is the subject of interest from Barcelona. The newly crowned La Liga are keen on reinforcing their goalkeeping unit in the summer transfer window by signing a top-class shot-stopper. So, the Espanyol mainstay has emerged as a target for the Blaugrana, with the two parties sealing an agreement in principle over a summer move.

Meanwhile, an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has suggested that the Catalan giants are “advancing on all formal steps” to sign the Spaniard, dealing with his agents and Espanyol. While it is not a “done deal” yet, the discussions are progressing well between all three parties.

Joan Garcia and his soaring stock

Joan Garcia has seen his stock skyrocket since becoming a regular for Espanyol between the sticks. While the 24-year-old broke into the first-team squad at RCD Espanyol in December 2021, he enjoyed his breakthrough at the Catalan club in the 2023/24 season. Since then, he has come leaps and bounds, even representing Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Olympic gold medalist has turned out over 50 times thus far for Espanyol while keeping 21 clean sheets and conceding 72 goals. Meanwhile, the Spanish goalkeeper’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several European bigwigs. Barcelona will be among the prospective suitors vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.

Move across Catalonia on the cards?

Barcelona’s interest in Joan Garcia is understandable. The newly crowned La Liga champions are scouring the market for a goalkeeper heading into the summer transfer window due to Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s faltering performance levels. In addition, Wojciech Szczesny is in the twilight of his career.

So, Garcia has emerged as a viable target for Barcelona, with the Blaugrana securing an agreement in principle with the 24-year-old Spaniard. In addition, the Catalan giants are “advancing on all formal steps” to sign Garcia, with the talks between the three parties progressing well.

The Spanish goalkeeper’s contract with Espanyol has a release clause of €25 million. It is unclear if Barcelona will trigger it or negotiate a fee for a separate amount with Espanyol. It will be interesting to see if the Olympic gold medalist join the reigning La Liga champions in the coming months.