Versatile Barcelona defender Eric Garcia will unlikely join Arsenal before the summer transfer window shuts down.
According to a report by Mundo Deportivo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Eric Garcia is the subject of interest from Arsenal. But Xavi Hernandez wants to keep the Spanish international at the club for the 2023/24 campaign. So, the versatile Barcelona defender will unlikely move to the North London club before the summer transfer window closes.
Eric Garcia has vindicated his decision to leave Barcelona in 2017 since rejoining them two years ago. The 22-year-old had ended his first stint with the Blaugrana as he wanted to secure a quicker path to regular first-team minutes. And he got that at Manchester City before the homesickness bug bit him.
Pep Guardiola was keen on keeping Garcia at the Etihad beyond his contract expiration. But the Spanish international left Manchester City as a free agent in July 2021 before returning to Barcelona in a Bosman move. And he would have hoped to become the undisputed first-choice centre-back at Camp Nou.
While Garcia featured regularly in the 2021/22 season, his stock dropped last season after Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde arrived. In addition, Ronald Araujo established himself as a pivotal figure for Barcelona. So the Spaniard has become a bit-part player for Barcelona, managing only 56 minutes of game time in three games thus far.
But despite Garcia’s evident drop in stature, high-profile clubs across Europe have shown interest in him. Recent reports have linked Juventus with the versatile Barcelona defender, who can also feature as a holding midfielder. And Arsenal will also look to secure his services this summer.
Reports this month have suggested that Arsenal will look to secure Garcia’s services in a loan deal for the remainder of the 2023/24 season. The Gunners have rekindled their interest in the Barcelona outcast after Jurrien Timber picked up a long-term knee injury in the season-opening fixture against Nottingham Forest. But while Garcia is a viable target, a summer move might not be possible.
The report by Mundo Deportivo claims that Xavi Hernandez does not want Barcelona to sell the former Manchester City defender. In addition, a loan move is not feasible for the Blaugrana at the current stage of the summer transfer window. So Arsenal will have to identify an alternative, with the deal for the versatile Barcelona defender unlikely to see the light of day.