Barcelona set to sign three youth prospects from Espanyol after Joan Garcia swoop | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are all set to complete the signing of goalkeeper Joan Garcia from local rivals RCD Espanyol by activating his €25 million release clause this week.

Considering that the 24-year-old was Espanyol’s best player this season, the fact that he is making the switch to their local rivals has not gone down well within the Parakeets’ fanbase.

Now, according to SPORT, following the signing of Garcia, Barcelona are once again dipping into Espanyol’s youth system, this time bringing in three more promising players from their city rivals.

Who is Pol Mancheno?

Striker Pol Mancheno, along with Korean siblings Minguk and Daehan Lee, will leave Espanyol and join Barça’s academy setup.

Pol Mancheno, a centre-forward, has seen limited action with Espanyol’s Cadete A this season. Espanyol, anticipating that he would not remain at the club, decided to reduce his involvement, adopting a stance similar to Barcelona’s with Pau Prim.

The 16-year-old striker, who has represented Spain at the U15 level, rose to prominence in the 2022/23 season with Espanyol’s Infantil A, scoring 23 goals.

Joan Garcia is on the cusp of joining Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

His performances attracted attention from several major clubs, including Real Madrid, who were reportedly close to signing him. Ultimately, however, Mancheno has chosen Barcelona.

Known for his physical strength and sharp movement into space, the teenager is a natural goal-scorer with a strong presence in the box. He is expected to join Barcelona’s Juvenil B team.

The Lee brothers also set to join

Korean brothers Minguk and Daehan Lee will also make the jump from Espanyol to Barcelona, with the Blaugrana having already attempted to sign them in previous seasons.

Minguk is a dynamic right-back, known for his powerful runs and excellent crossing ability. He is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in Espanyol’s academy.

Daehan originally played as a right-back in football-7 but has transitioned into a winger in the 11-a-side format at the Infantil level. A consistent and reliable player, he adapts well to team needs.

Both brothers have spent seven years at Espanyol and have stood out since their earliest days in the academy. Now, they will follow the path taken by Joan Garcia and make the switch to their cross-town rivals.