From Spain: Alan Pace approach to sign Barcelona star for Burnley revealed

Burnley failed in their transfer attempt to bring Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia to the Premier League.

The Spain international arrived at the Camp Nou from Espanyol for €25m in June 2025.

Burnley owner Alan Pace has also owned Espanyol since October 2025 and had tried to sign Garcia for the Clarets before taking over.

James Trafford was the No.1 at Turf Moor and starred for the Clarets last season. He had played a key role in helping Burnley secure a promotion to the Premier League.

His fine displays allowed him to return to Manchester City in July 2025, where is behind Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Trafford’s exit saw Burnley look for a new stopper and ended up signing Martin Dúbravka on a free transfer.

Burnley wanted Barcelona star

Prior to joining Barcelona last summer, Joan Garcia had attracted interest from Newcastle United.

At the start of the season, Sport Witness covered claims from Spain that he was tempted to join the Magpies.

Eddie Howe’s side weren’t the only one to miss out on the 24-year-old as Burnley also wanted him.

That’s according to Tuesday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo, and their title states ‘Alan Pace wanted Joan Garcia for Burnley’.

Within the report, the newspaper state the Clarets owner made contact for Garcia last summer. At that time, the American wasn’t the owner of Espanyol. Pace took this step following James Trafford’s exit.

Garica picking Barca over Burnley not surprising

The newspaper makes no mention for why the deal didn’t go through and who rejected Burnley.

Whatever the reason, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the appeal of joining Barcelona is way higher than that of Scott Parker’s side.

Joan Garcia has been the No.1 under Hansi Flick, displacing Marc-André ter Stegen at the Camp Nou.

He started in 37 matches for the La Liga winners this season, keeping 15 clean sheets and conceding 36 goals. The Spaniard is competing for the league and the Champions League, which wouldn’t have been possible at Burnley.

The Clarets are 19th in the Premier League table, 10 points behind 17th placed Tottenham Hotspur. Martin Dúbravka, who has been the No.1 at Burnley this season, has four clean sheets and conceded 61 goals from 31 league matches.