Barcelona close in on €10m transfer - Fabrizio Romano

Tom Weber

Updated: 3 Jan 2025 14:02 GMT
3 min read

Barcelona are closing in on the sale of Eric Garcia, according to Fabrizio Romano and Spanish media.

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The Blaugrana defender has failed to consistently break into the side under Hansi Flick after returning from an encouraging loan spell at Girona in the summer.

Garcia enjoyed a historic campaign with the Catalan minnows last term, helping the team qualify for the Champions League for the very first time, but the new season hasn't quite been as successful for the former Man City centre-back.

The 23-year-old has primarily been a substitute for Barcelona this term and there have been suggestions that he could depart his boyhood club once more this year.

FootballTransfers previously revealed interest from Newcastle and Chelsea. However, it appears that Garcia is determined to remain much closer to home, as he looks set to return to Girona.

Garcia heading to Girona

According to Spanish journalist Nil Sola and transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Barcelona are on the verge of wrapping up the sale of Garcia. The defender will head back to Girona on a permanent, €10 million transfer that could prove crucial to the Blaugrana's season.

The LaLiga leaders, of course, are still in the midst of their Dani Olmo registration mess. Despite optimism of resolving the situation, there is still no guarantee of a positive outcome.

However, the sale of Garcia will provide even more funds for Barcelona to return to an even keel financially, with the club desperate to become eligible for the vaunted 1:1 rule again, which would allow them to spend €1 for every €1 they make rather than the current rate of having to earn more before they can buy.

It remains to be seen how exactly LaLiga and the Spanish federation will decide in the Olmo case, but Barcelona's positive work in raising funds could convince the governing bodies to rule in their favour and accept the plea that missing the December 31 deadline was beyond the club's control.