Barcelona has already made their first signing of the summer, with goalkeeper Joan Garcia arriving from local rivals Espanyol. The 24-year-old was one of the best in his position in La Liga last season, which is why there is a lot of excitement about him who has joined himself.
It turned out that Barcelona was not going to make a move for Garcia this summer, but as explained during an interview with La Vanguardia (VIA MD), sports director Deco saw it as a market chance.
“Target forecast was not a priority, but we have seen an opportunity for the market for the present and for the future. There are not many young players at his level. We never spoke with Joan before the end of the competition. We spoke with his agent who told him that if the player would open the Barcelona option, we would like to talk to him and we would have the idea.”
Barcelona now has two older States keepers in Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny next to Garcia, and Deco made it clear that the latter was brought in with a clear goal.
“I give a very simple example. Liverpool has a goalkeeper named Alisson, 32, and they have signed one of the best in La Liga, Mhamardashvili, 24. If you have players who are 32-33 years old, you have to try to make a plan forecast.”
The arrival of Garcia has led to an important speculation about the future of Ter Stegen, which is expected to be a third -choice goalkeeper next season. Deco gave his opinion about this.
“I don't have to talk to Ter Stegen. My obligation is to make the best possible team for the coach. This is not my case. Moreover, there is no contract stating that you are going to play. From here it is the coach who makes his decision.
“We have made a decision to sign a young keeper, which means that he can play tomorrow or sit on the couch, or can play in one or two years. We have expectations with Joan who then have to be filled. Everyone who comes in starts all over again, none of them comes with an advantage over the others.