FC Barcelona Officially Announces Transfer Before June 30

La Liga soccer giant FC Barcelona officially announced a transfer on Sunday evening, just ahead of the important date of June 30.

“FC Barcelona and Granada CF have reached an agreement for the loan of the goalkeeper Ander Astralaga until June 30, 2026,” the first part of a statement uploaded to the Catalans’ website read.

The club explained how Astralaga was born in the Basque Country in March 2004, and joined La Masia from Athletic Club in the summer of 2018.

He then joined the U16s and leapt up to the U19s ahead of making his reserve team debut against Betis Deportio in 2021/2022.

“Since then, the ‘keeper has been part of both the Barça Atletic squad and the first team squad. Astralaga made his first team debut in preseason in 2024/25 in a match against Manchester City. Now, he leaves on loan to Granada in search of regular first team football to continue his development,” the club concluded.

With Barca having already announced the incoming transfer of Joan Garcia, made possible by activating his $28.8 million (€25 million) release clause at crosstown rival Espanyol, it was going to be difficult for Astralaga to break into Hansi Flick’s first team squad next season.

At the moment, there are four men in the running for the number one goalkeeper spot including Garcia, who are namely Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Wojciech Szczesny and Inaki Pena.

Ter Stegen was previously the main starter and captain, but a near campaign-ending injury last September led to luring Szczesny out of retirement and signing the Pole on a one-season contract that is expected to be extended.

Barca looks to be trying to force Ter Stegen out of the exit door, but he has a contract until mid-2028 and, according to SPORT, wants his owed pay in full if that deal will be rescinded.

Astralaga had other competition in the FC Barcelona reserve team

As well as the four mentioned men, there’s also Diego Kochen who would challenge Astralaga for minutes in the FC Barcelona reserve team known as Barca Atletic. A move to Granada could be positive for the Basque, however, who will perhaps earn more minutes than would be the case if he’d hung around in Catalonia.