After celebrating a spectacular domestic treble—**La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup**—Barcelona has entered the 2025 summer transfer window with high ambitions. The club’s clear objective is to **bolster the squad**, not just to maintain their domestic dominance, but to **launch a serious bid for European glory** under new head coach **Hansi Flick**.
One of the most critical moves planned by the Barça board, led by **president Joan Laporta**, has been the pursuit of a **top-tier goalkeeper**. Their primary target? **Espanyol’s Juan García**, who just had a breakout season and is now widely considered one of the **best goalkeepers in La Liga**.
But now, in a shocking development, **Pep Guardiola** has entered the picture — and is threatening to **hijack the deal**.
### Guardiola’s Late Entry Shakes Barcelona’s Plans
According to *El Nacional*, Guardiola has given Manchester City the green light to pursue García should **Ederson** leave this summer, with the Brazilian receiving **big-money offers from Saudi Arabia**. The City boss sees García as the perfect successor — a young, agile, and composed keeper with exceptional footwork and a sharp competitive edge.
This last-minute intervention by City has **seriously disrupted Barcelona’s strategy**, as they had been preparing to **trigger García’s €25 million release clause** and bring him in as a future replacement—and possible competitor—for **Marc-André ter Stegen**.
### A Two-Club Tug-of-War
While Barcelona believes García can grow into a long-term number one and sees him as central to their future plans, Manchester City is making a **stronger financial offer** with more immediate playing time. For García, this creates a tough decision: join a legendary club like Barça with high expectations and stiff competition, or move to City where he could become an **instant starter under Guardiola**, a coach known for developing elite talents.
Even though García is said to value the **sporting project over money**, the chance to work under Pep and lead the line for one of the best teams in the world is difficult to ignore.
### Barcelona’s Pitch: Future No.1
Coach Hansi Flick has reportedly **personally contacted García**, assuring him that he would play a **pivotal role** in Barcelona’s new project. But there’s an acknowledgment within the club that they **cannot match** the financial or contractual guarantees that City can offer.
Furthermore, Ter Stegen’s presence—and the possibility of another goalkeeper joining—means García would likely face **greater competition** at Camp Nou than he would at the Etihad.
### What’s at Stake?
Barcelona now finds itself in a precarious position. García’s signing was seen as one of the **cornerstones** of their summer rebuild. Losing him would not only force them back into the market but could also signal a setback in their efforts to prepare for the post-Ter Stegen era.
Meanwhile, Guardiola is taking full advantage of the situation, attempting to **outmaneuver his former club** in a calculated and well-timed move that could leave Barcelona scrambling.
### Final Thoughts
The battle for Juan García is more than just a transfer saga — it’s a clash of vision, ambition, and timing. As one club fights to protect a carefully constructed summer plan, another aims to reinforce its dominance by seizing a key talent.
Who will win? The coming weeks will be crucial.
