Espanyol director breaks silence on Barcelona top target’s future – ‘There’s nothing concrete’ | OneFootball

Joan Garcia is one of the players Barcelona are closely tracking heading into the summer transfer window.

The Espanyol goalkeeping prodigy has emerged as the first major target for the newly-crowned Spanish champions this summer.

In fact, recent reports suggest Garcia even has an offer from Barcelona surrounding a potential move to Camp Nou next season.

Espanyol director shuts down rumours

However, in a recent press conference, Espanyol sporting director Fran Garagarza has shut down all rumours surrounding Garcia’s future.

Garagarza started by confirming that Espaynol has not received any official communication surrounding Garcia’s future.

“There hasn’t been any official approach from any club. I think we have a top-level asset, a player who’s from Espanyol, who’s top-notch both personally and professionally. And we’re relaxed,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

Garazarga went on to point towards Garcia’s €25 million release clause, stating that it is a figure any interested party must meet.

“Any club interested in Joan knows there’s a figure. We already proved it with another player in the summer of my arrival, and this doesn’t have to be any different. He’s worth it,” he said.

A key talking point around Barcelona’s pursuit of Joan Garcia has been the player’s association with Espanyol and whether or not that will have an impact on his decision-making.

In fact, even Garagarza was asked whether Espanyol would view Barcelona’s offer differently, to which the sporting director had a rather diplomatic answer.

Espanyol won’t give up Joan Garcia easily. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

“We’re going to discuss which clubs want him. He’s a player who has demonstrated his level and even that margin for progression. For clubs that are interested in one of our assets, in this case, Joan, it’s pretty obvious or pretty clear what the figures are.

“Whoever wants him knows what they’re up to. There won’t be much debate. There’s a contract, there’s a figure, that’s it,” he said.

The Espanyol sporting director went on to reiterate that there is nothing concrete regarding Joan Garcia’s future and everything right now is simply ‘hypothesis’.

“We’re talking about hypotheses; things are assumed that aren’t so clear. As of today, there’s nothing concrete regarding Joan, nothing official. What could there be? We’ll see.

“What we’re not going to do is sell off one of our greatest assets. We have to defend the club and have the respect that Espanyol deserves,” he said.

“That’s the message: maximum peace of mind. We have a player with a contract (until 2028), a player who is worth far more than his figures suggest,” he added.

Finally, Garagarza addressed Joan Garcia’s exclusion from the Spain roster, especially in the context that a potential call-up would have increased his release clause by €5 million.

“He’s at the level, but the level of goalkeepers in Spain is brutal. Understandably, there’s been continuity on Luis (De la Fuente’s) roster. Would it have given us an extra boost? Yes,” he concluded.