Revealed: Barcelona FORCED to loan star after REJECTED Premier League move
Cameron Smith
- 5 Sept 2023 19:38 BST
- 4 min read
Barcelona were reportedly angered by Abde Ezzalzouli’s decision to reject a Premier League move in favour of joining Real Betis, with that choice leading to Eric Garcia being offloaded on loan.
Ezzalzouli, more commonly known as Ez Abde, joined Betis on Deadline Day for a fee of €7.5 million after a summer of speculation regarding a move away.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at CA Osasuna and was heavily linked with a permanent exit from Camp Nou, despite the departure of Ousmane Dembele.
READ MORE: Why Chelsea DIDN'T sign Man Utd's Sancho this summer
According to RAC1, Barcelona received an offer in the region of €20m from a Premier League club. However, Abde had his heart set on a move to Betis and ultimately chose to join the Spanish side over a switch to the English top flight.
RAC1 have also reported that Barca were left ‘annoyed’ by Abde’s decision to reject a Premier League transfer as it would’ve been more lucrative for the Catalunya-based side.
Furthermore, that decision not only affected Abde, but it also led to Eric Garcia being loaned to Girona. Xavi had reportedly convinced the young Spaniard to stay at the club, but Abde’s decision to join Real Betis for €7.5m rather than move to the Premier League for €20m upset Barcelona’s plans.
READ MORE: Neymar ALREADY dreaming of NEXT transfer just weeks after €90m Saudi move
The Blaugrana were then forced to loan out Garcia in order to register new signing Inigo Martinez, who joined the club on a free transfer from Athletic Club.
Barcelona’s Deadline Day business
As well as offloading Abde on a permanent deal and Garcia on loan, Barcelona also signed Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo on Transfer Deadline Day (1 September).
Both Portuguese stars joined the club on season-long loan deals, from Atletico Madrid and Manchester City respectively.
The pair were named on the bench for Barcelona’s 2-1 win against Osasuna on Sunday, but they were both brought on in the second-half by Xavi. Felix replaced Oriol Romeu after 80 minutes, while Cancelo entered the field after just 59 minutes, with Sergi Roberto taken off.
