Newcastle United’s offer to Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia ‘didn’t fully convince him’, hence his decision to move to Barcelona.
That’s according to La Vanguardia, who cover Newcastle’s bid to the 24-year-old today as he closes in on a move to the Camp Nou.
They explain that Barcelona president Joan Laporta has signed the order to activate the goalkeeper’s €25m buy-out clause. That money is expected to arrive at La Liga’s offices on Monday, bringing an end to this particular summer transfer drama early.
The goalkeeper has, reportedly, decided to sign for Barcelona for three main reasons; he wanted to stay in the city, where his family is settled, the international projection offered by Barcelona and a lack of conviction regarding the offers he had in the Premier League.
Newcastle United were keen on his signature this summer as well and presented an offer but it ‘didn’t fully convince him’, unlike the proposal from Barcelona. Thus he has ended up signing for them after meeting director of football Deco.
They hadn’t intended to sign a goalkeeper but have moved to get the Espanyol man this summer, rather than seeing him go somewhere like Newcastle instead.
What the Magpies do next, they’ve been linked with a big move for James Trafford at Burnley, remains to be seen. But they may want to put more effort, or money on the table, than they did with Garcia, who was seemingly left unimpressed.
