García, who had previously been linked with a move to Arsenal after a standout performance in Spain's Olympic gold-winning campaign in Paris, remained with Espanyol last season and emerged as one of La Liga’s top performers. He led all goalkeepers in average saves per game—nearly four per match—establishing himself as a key figure in Espanyol’s narrow escape from relegation.
The transfer, expected to be finalized in a private ceremony at Barcelona's offices on Friday, not only brings one of Spain's most promising goalkeepers to the reigning La Liga champions but also injects a rare note of controversy. While it's not uncommon for former Barcelona players to wind down their careers at Espanyol, direct transfers from Espanyol to Barcelona are far less frequent, often stirring strong emotions among fans.
García acknowledged the potential backlash in a heartfelt message to Espanyol supporters:
“The time has come to part ways. Today I say goodbye to the club that has been my home since I was 15. I’ve given everything to help the team, to represent this badge with the utmost dedication, and to live up to what it means to wear this shirt.”
Addressing the sensitivity of his move to the city rival, García added:
“I know this decision won’t be easy for everyone to understand. I’m not asking you to do so. But I do want you to know that it was a carefully considered decision, considering not only my career, but also what’s best for the club, my family, and me.”
His signing now raises questions about the future of Barcelona’s current No. 1, Marc-André ter Stegen. The German international missed much of the past season due to injury, prompting the club to temporarily sign former Juventus and Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczęsny out of retirement. Iñaki Peña remains another option in the squad, but García’s arrival suggests Barcelona may be preparing for a shift between the posts in the long term.
Barcelona, who captured the La Liga title this season, now add youth and reliability to their goalkeeping corps. Meanwhile, Espanyol will receive a substantial financial boost that could be vital in reinforcing their squad ahead of next season.
Though García has yet to debut for Spain's senior national team, his rise has been steady and closely watched. With a move to the top tier of Spanish football now complete, a senior call-up may not be far behind.