Arsenal move for ‘extraordinary’ Barcelona player

Robin Bairner

• 30 Mar 2023 09:25 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal are ready to make a transfer offer for Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia, according to reports in Spain.

The Premier League leaders were already associated with the former Manchester City defender during the January transfer window and are once again linked with the Spain international.

Garcia, 22, moved to Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 but has struggled to hold down a spot as a regular starter for the Camp Nou outfit, despite building an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €35.5 million.

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He has often found himself on the bench in recent months and indeed has managed only five La Liga appearances since the World Cup – three of which have been as a starter.

According to Mundo Deportivo, this could be his last season as a Barcelona player, with Arsenal “insisting” upon a transfer.

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Garcia knocked Arsenal back in January but after playing a peripheral role in recent weeks and having seen Barcelona all-but complete the signing of Inigo Martinez, his stance on a move may be different now.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, knows Garcia well from their time together at Manchester City.

Xavi on Eric Garcia

Although Garcia has not been featuring regularly for Barcelona, head coach Xavi has sung his praises in the past to underline what an important member of the squad he is.

"Eric is extraordinary. I value him a lot, he is important to us. He plays in a very complicated position because, at Barca, a centre-back is always exposed. But he is a role model in the dressing room and we value him a lot," the Barca coach has said.

Barcelona’s financial situation, however, may well compel them to make a sale. The club needs to cut their wage bill by €200m by the end of June in order to register new players next summer, meaning a fringe defender like Eric Garcia with a significant sell-on value is exactly the type of player who could go.