EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle rival Chelsea for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia

Steve Kay

• Updated: 18 Dec 2024 11:37 CST
• 4 min read

Exclusive

Newcastle are interested in signing Eric Garcia of Barcelona in the January transfer window, FootballTransfers has been told.

The LaLiga giants would be open to letting the defender leave for a cut price of €25 million, an amount which could entice the Magpies to the negotiating table.

Newcastle are wrestling with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) restrictions still and the priority remains adding a right-winger, but we are told that sporting director Paul Mitchell wishes to bring in value-for-money additions.

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The Tyneside club are looking forward to welcoming back Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman, with both centre-backs set to return from long-term injuries in the coming months.

Garcia is deemed one of the possible names who could replace former Nottingham Forest man Lascelles and is on the club's shortlist.

Meanwhile, Dan Burn, though versatile and reliable, is now 32 years old and there are question marks over this long-term fitness.

Newcastle, Chelsea eye Garcia

Newcastle famously failed to bring in Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace during the summer window with four unsuccessful bids, two of which were record offers from the club.

But their capricious form in front of goal has led Eddie Howe to make the right flank the main concern in the market. Miguel Almiron looks almost certain to leave, leaving Jacob Murphy as the only other player on that side of the pitch for the Magpies.

In addition to Newcastle, we are told that Chelsea are also in the market for a centre-back this January, with Garcia among their list of potential targets.

The Blues have expressed an interest in the defender and sources inform us that Barcelona are hoping to offload him and several fringe players in the January transfer window.

The former Man City defender spent the previous season on loan at Girona, but despite impressing at the City Football Group-owned club, Garcia has failed to become a starter under Hansi Flick.

Barcelona recently received a welcome financial boost as they managed to wrap up a new and improved deal with Nike, but they are still facing major financial problems heading into January.

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Star summer signing Dani Olmo is only registered until December 31 and Barcelona are currently unable to free up the necessary resources to extend his squad inclusion for the entire season.

As things stand, January sales will come too late to influence Olmo's eligibility but it is still a strategy pursued by president Joan Laporta in a bid to build a new-look Barcelona in 2025.

Garcia is already attracting a number of suitors and Chelsea are actively scouting centre-backs as they look to strengthen their defensive options, though it remains as yet unclear whether they - or Newcastle - will act in January.