EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal want Eric Garcia from Barcelona

Steve Kay

• Updated: 25 Aug 2023 17:58 BST
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal are working to sign Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia on loan in light of Jurrien Timber's ACL injury, writes FootballTransfers' insider Steve Kay.

Timber will have to undergo surgery for the knee injury he incurred in Arsenal's opening Premier League game with Nottingham Forest, which they won 2-1.

Mikel Arteta is looking for a mobile centre-back who can play more than one position to replace the Dutchman - at least until he has recovered - and Garcia fits the bill.

READ: Why Arsenal are making a MISTAKE with Kieran Tierney exit

There has been an enquiry. Barcelona are willing to let him go as long as the deal to sign Joao Cancelo from Manchester City goes through.

Barcelona would prefer to sell Garcia rather than loan him out, however, and there are Spanish teams also interested in him.

He definitely fits the bill in terms of being a short-term Timber replacement. He can play anywhere across the back four and also in midfield, similar to John Stones.

Arteta also knows Garcia well having worked with him at Manchester City.

READ: From Gundogan to Aguero: Barcelona's insane list of recent free transfers

Barca's preference

Garcia is valued at €26.6 million per FootballTransfers' in-house algorithm, while he has an ETV of €38.1m. With Barcelona still wrestling with a debt of more than €1 billion, their motivation for an outright sale is clear.

Garcia started 15 La Liga games last season as Barca won the title, but with Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andres Christensen and now Inigo Martinez also on the books, the club are well covered in his position.

Arteta looks increasingly willing to move to a back three at Arsenal, meanwhile, and while Gabriel and Kieran Tierney are both left-footed defenders, the Spaniard preferred the right-footed Timber on the left of his defence against Forest.

Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Gabriel and Tierney as they look to raise funds for players that better fit Arteta's vision.