Guardiola talks Joan Garcia interest, Barcelona, Lamine Yamal – ‘Barça is the best place for him’ | OneFootball

Barcelona’s goalkeeping hunt for the 2025/26 season hit a potential snag when reports emerged of Manchester City’s interest in Joan Garcia, the talented Espanyol shot-stopper.

However, those concerns have now been put to rest after Pep Guardiola openly distanced City from the race, giving Barcelona a clearer path toward securing the 24-year-old goalkeeper.

Speaking with his trademark wit and dry humour, Guardiola praised Garcia’s quality but made it abundantly clear that City are not looking to make a move.

“City are interested in 500 players,” he said before admitting he had heard “he is an extraordinary goalkeeper,” though City are not among the suitors.

That also rules out any potential interest in Marc-Andre ter Stegen, with Guardiola stressing that the club is more than happy to continue with Ederson and Stefan Ortega going forward.

This development comes as welcome news to Barça, who had identified Garcia as a long-term option between the posts, particularly as they begin a new cycle under Hansi Flick.

With Ter Stegen ageing, Garcia represents a logical investment in the future.

Pep congratulates Barça and Lamine Yamal

In the same appearance, Guardiola also took time to congratulate Barcelona for what he called an “almost perfect season,” suggesting the club is back on track and hopes “it lasts for many years.”

Guardiola is content with Lamine Yamal’s development. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)

As always, Lamine Yamal was naturally a hot topic. Guardiola was full of praise for the 17-year-old phenomenon but urged caution on premature comparisons to Lionel Messi.

“He unbalances games from the wing and we will see if he can be compared to the greatest,” Pep said, though he acknowledged Yamal has already shown the maturity to “decide games” on the biggest stages, such as against Inter in Europe.

He playfully commented on Yamal’s contract running until 2031, suggesting the young star “will be able to buy a nice house” and deserves every penny due to his commercial and footballing impact. “

“If the clubs pay him, it is because he generates it,” Pep insisted.

In a final nod to his emotional ties with Barcelona, Guardiola offered a touching endorsement of Yamal’s development at the Catalan club.

“Against Inter, they gave him the ball to decide. I’m surprised that at 17, he does these things.

“The best place he can be is at Barça. As a Barça fan, I’m happy with the year they’ve had and that he can be at Barça for many years,” he noted.

With Guardiola out of the picture in Garcia’s chase and throwing his support behind Barcelona’s youth and project, the Blaugrana can now focus fully on securing their summer priorities. The path forward is clearer than ever.

Source: Mundo Deportivo