Barça doesn’t trust Joan García and will sign this player

The winds of change are blowing once again at FC Barcelona, this time between the goalposts. With their legendary German goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen entering the later stages of his career, the club is preparing ahead of time.

Barça is now moving seriously to find a new goalkeeper, and it seems they’ve set their sights on a rising star in Spanish football: Joan García of Espanyol.

But the story doesn’t end there. As things begin to get complicated with García, a new name is now on the table—Lucas Chevalier, the French wonderkid from Lille.

Let’s take a proper look into how Barça is plotting its next big move in the goalkeeping department.

A New Era Begins: Planning for Life After Ter Stegen

Barça fans have watched Ter Stegen deliver world-class performances for years. The 33-year-old has been a rock at the back, saving the team on countless occasions. However, football is a game of time. Every club must prepare for the future, and at Barça, the technical team has started thinking ahead.

According to reports from Spain, Joan García was the first name that appeared on the club’s wish list. The 23-year-old keeper from Espanyol is considered one of the most talented young goalkeepers in La Liga. Barça’s sporting team, led by Deco, believes Joan is a safe investment—not just for today, but for the next 5 to 10 years.

With a release clause of only €25 million, Joan García is seen as a bargain in a market where goalkeeper prices are rising like petrol in Accra. Some keepers are now costing over €60 million, so paying €25 million for a La Liga-proven talent is good business.

The Espanyol Problem: Emotions and Pressure

But as we say in Ghana, “not all that glitters is gold.” Even though Joan García is affordable and highly rated, the deal is not moving as quickly as Barça had hoped.

Why?

First, Espanyol and Barcelona are city rivals. Even though Espanyol is not as big a club as Barça, there is a deep emotional connection between Joan García and his current team. He grew up with the club, and his bond with the “blanquiazul” (blue-and-white) fans runs deep.

Moving directly from Espanyol to Barça is not an easy decision. It could lead to backlash from fans, media pressure, and the feeling of betrayal that sometimes haunts players who make such moves. Joan himself is said to be not entirely convinced about crossing to the other side of the city.

Premier League Interest: Money Talks

To make matters more difficult, several Premier League clubs have entered the picture. These English clubs, known for their deep pockets, are said to be offering better financial terms and a more comfortable path without emotional complications.

The Premier League is currently seen as the richest and most competitive league in the world. For a young goalkeeper like Joan García, the idea of playing in England—with less emotional drama and more money—is becoming more attractive.

This is why Barça’s technical team is beginning to accept the reality: Joan García may choose to go abroad instead of joining Barcelona this summer.

Deco Turns to Plan B: Enter Lucas Chevalier

In football, if Plan A doesn’t work, you move quickly to Plan B. And Barça is doing just that.

The club is now focusing its attention on another young goalkeeper—Lucas Chevalier from Lille in France. The 22-year-old Frenchman has had a fantastic season in Ligue 1, making a name for himself as one of Europe’s most promising shot-stoppers.

Chevalier has all the qualities Barça is looking for:

Excellent reflexes

Strong leadership in the box

Good footwork

Calm under pressure

These traits are essential for any goalkeeper looking to succeed at a big club like Barça, where the pressure is always high and mistakes are rarely forgiven.

Chevalier Open to the Move

Unlike the Joan García situation, Lucas Chevalier and his team are open to joining Barcelona. Sources say the player would welcome the opportunity to move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs and is willing to compete with Ter Stegen for the No. 1 spot.

Even though Barça hasn’t made a formal offer yet, Chevalier has now become a priority target. Deco and his team are watching him closely, and if the Joan García deal collapses, the Frenchman may become Barça’s top goalkeeper signing for the summer.

Timing Is Crucial: Preseason Preparations Underway

Barça is not waiting for the last minute. The club wants to finalize their goalkeeper signing before preseason begins. With Hansi Flick taking charge of his first training sessions soon, the technical team wants all key signings in place early.

Goalkeepers need time to adjust to new defensive systems and build trust with the backline. That’s why signing a new shot-stopper early is considered non-negotiable for the Barça project.

Whether it’s Joan García or Lucas Chevalier, Deco is determined to bring in a new face between the sticks before the summer window picks up steam.

A Bigger Picture: Building for the Future

This hunt for a new goalkeeper is part of a larger rebuilding plan. Barça knows that to return to the top of European football, they must combine experienced stars with rising talents. Ter Stegen won’t be there forever. Signing someone young now ensures that the club is not left scrambling when the German eventually leaves or retires.

Barça is showing signs of learning from past mistakes, where they often waited too long to replace aging players. This time, they are being proactive—and that’s a good sign for fans.

Conclusion: Who Will Be Ter Stegen’s Heir?

The question on every fan’s lips is simple: Who will be Barcelona’s next No. 1?

Will it be Joan García, the talented Spaniard with La Liga experience but a complicated emotional link to Espanyol?

Or will it be Lucas Chevalier, the fearless Frenchman with all the modern goalkeeping tools and an open heart to Barça’s call?

One thing is clear: Barça is not leaving anything to chance. Whether it’s Plan A or Plan B, the club is determined to secure the future of the goalkeeper position—and they are ready to act fast.

As we say in Ghana, “when the old tree begins to lean, you plant a new one.” For Barça, the time has come to plant that tree.