Joan García is one of the big names of the summer in Barcelona. The goalkeeper signed one of those moves that are often considered a betrayal, as he left Espanyol for Barcelona, one of their biggest rivals. Ángel Fortuño, last season’s substitute goalkeeper for the blue and whites, has spoken about the move that took everyone by surprise and took the opportunity to take a slight dig at his former teammate, which he surely didn’t appreciate hearing.
Joan García decided to start a new adventure in Barcelona, but on the other side. The offer he received from Barcelona was quite attractive, as he was promised the starting goalkeeper position for this new season, in which the Azulgranas will be looking to win the Champions League, which they have not won in a decade. This signing moves Ter Stegen, who was looking for a way out until it was announced that he will undergo back surgery. The German will be out for several months and will not be registered in LaLiga, meaning that 80% of his salary will be available. This means that both the former Espanyol player and Szczesny, who has renewed for two seasons, will be able to be registered to compete from day one, avoiding another case like the soap opera that surrounded Dani Olmo.
The blow to Joan García
Ángel Fortuño, Espanyol’s goalkeeper, spoke to journalist Javier de Haro and was asked about Joan García’s departure to Barcelona, to which he admitted that he knew nothing about him ending up at Barcelona in this summer transfer window. “The truth is that it took me by surprise,” said the man who was the substitute last season for the new signing for the Catalan side. After these words, he also took a slight dig at his former teammate, saying that it would be unthinkable for him to switch sides in Barcelona.
“I’ve been a Perico since I was a kid. We are here and we will always be here,” he said in the interview, swearing eternal love for Espanyol, but the big headline came later. “I’d rather go to Jupiter than play for Barcelona,” he replied, referring to the legendary club in Barcelona, in the neighborhood where he made his first saves as a child. On the possibility of leaving on loan, he was also clear: “The best thing was to be here and learn from what’s here, like Diego López and Fernando Pacheco.” Regarding the competition he will face, he praised Dmitrovic. “He’s a top person. He doesn’t get nervous and helps both Pol Tristán and me a lot,” he said.
Criticism of Joan García
In recent weeks, Joan García has had to face a lot of criticism, as once last season ended, his name began to be mentioned as a possible signing for Barcelona. This, obviously, did not sit well with Espanyol fans, as they never like to see one of their youth players end up leaving for their eternal rival, especially when the goalkeeper himself had shown his love for Espanyol and ended up being “betrayed” by starting a new adventure with the Blue and Whites’ biggest rival.
One of the Espanyol players who spoke quickly and clearly about Joan García’s signing for Barcelona was Javi Puado at his contract renewal ceremony. “It’s his decision. He’s staying there. That’s all,” said the striker emphatically about his former teammate’s decision. “The feeling for Espanyol cannot be described in words, you have to experience it. The people who are here, who come to the stadium and have been Espanyol fans all their lives, know what we’ve been through and know that we’re in a city with two teams,” added the striker.