Barcelona ready to sign Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García for €25 million release clause

According to ESPN, Barcelona has activated the €25 million release clause to acquire goalkeeper Joan García from city rivals Espanyol.

The release clause payment was submitted to LaLiga last Friday — the transfer will be completed after the league validates and confirms the funds.

García — who joined Espanyol’s academy nine years ago — will sign a six-year contract with Barcelona until 2031. The 24-year-old keeper will join the goalkeeping roster alongside Marc-André ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczęsny, and Iñaki Peña.

Several Premier League clubs had shown interest in García:

• Arsenal last summer
• Manchester City
• Aston Villa
• Newcastle United
• Bournemouth

Espanyol couldn’t prevent their key player’s departure to their city rivals — the €25 million release clause in his contract made the transfer inevitable. García’s impressive performances this season included a stellar display in defeating Real Madrid four months ago with a 1-0 score.