FC Barcelona Pays New Signing’s Release Clause

FC Barcelona paid top transfer target Joan Garcia’s release clause on Friday afternoon in Spain according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.

The newspaper reported that “the soap opera is over” in relation to 2024/2025 breakout star Garcia’s capture, with the goalkeeper already a new FC Barcelona player save for the signing of official contracts which is are expected to be penned next week.

Garcia’s $28.8 million (€25 million) release clause was reportedly paid by the player’s legal representatives on Friday, meaning that its youth team product has officially dis***ociated himself from Barca’s crosstown rivals Espanyol.

Once Garcia has returned from holiday, he’ll head to the Joan Gamper CT to sign his new contract and commit his immediate future with the Blaugrana until June 30, 2031. Before that, Espanyol will deposit the money at La Liga’s offices so that it can be added to the Pericos’ accounts.

Despite the sensitive nature of the transfer which sees Garcia leave Espanyol and join its bitter rival, the operation has thankfully, for all concerned, not become a summer long saga as we often seen with these types of deals.

The 24-year-old effectively agreed to switch allegiances before he went on holiday, but made sure that the signing could be completed before June 30.

This will help Espanyol from an economic perspective, as the near $30 million sum can be added to its accounts before the end of the European soccer financial year on June 30 and also help it stay within 1:1 rule limits amid making new signings ahead of next season.

Garcia could have gone for more money had he been called up to Luis de la Fuente’s latest Spain squad, which beat France in the semifinals but lost the Nations League final on penalties to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal.

Expected to be named Barca’s number one shotstopper, however, Garcia is certain to become a part of La Roja’s furniture too alongside new club teammates such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Pau Cubarsi

Garcia’s arrival could mean the end of the road for Ter Stegen at FC Barcelona

With Garcia’s transfer now pretty much confirmed, Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s exit out of FC Barcelona could now be accelerated. Previously feigning ignorance about a potential departure, the German is now surplus to requirements under Hansi Flick with Garcia around.