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FC Barcelona has reached an agreement in principle with the agents of one of its top transfer targets according to Mundo Deportivo, which cited anonymous sources.
The Catalans are coming off the back of a domestic treble and also reaching the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time since 2019 in Hansi Flick's maiden season.
To stay competitive and on top, however, President Joan Laporta knows that he must get his chequebook out like Real Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez is already doing after a barren campaign in terms of major silverware.
After the emergence of Eric Garcia and Gerard Martin as worthy substitutes or cover options for Alejandro Balde and Jules Kounde, Flick no longer seeks a full back capable of playing on both flanks as previously reported.
On the left wing, though, Liverpool's Luis Diaz is being talked up as a possible marquee signing, and one that would be a the most expensive for Barca since the pre-pandemic days when it could splash out $96 million (€85 million) at the drop of a hat in the transfer market.
Espanyol's goalkeeper Joan Garcia would be a lot cheaper though at $28.2 million (€25 million), which is what his release clause stayed at after Barca's crosstown foe beat the drop to stay in La Liga and the breakout 2024/2025 star confusingly didn't make Luis de la Fuente's latest Spain national team squad list.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barca has reached an agreement in principle with Garcia's agents and there will be a key meeting between Friday and Monday for him to decide whether his next destination is on the other side of the city or perhaps in England where he has other offers from the likes of Arsenal, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Furthermore, Italy is knocking on Garcia's door because Napoli and Inter Milan want him, and Bayer Leverkusen is also interested in Germany.
Mundo Deportivo says that Barcelona is "calm" about Garcia's imminent decision because of it already having an agreement in principle with his camp. Though no figures are quoted in terms of salary, the five-year deal is said to entail a bonus if the shotstopper becomes a full Spain international.