Arsenal may well chase a late move to sign Barcelona defender Eric Garcia on loan.
According to The Daily Star, Arsenal are keen on Eric Garcia, and the Barcelona ace is equally open to a return to the Premier League.
Garcia last featured in English football as part of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City squad in the 2020/21 season. However, Garcia rarely played for Manchester City throughout that campaign as he had already made it clear he had no interest in signing a new contract at the Etihad Stadium. As such, Guardiola phased him out of the side.
Prior to his refusal to renew terms, the 22-year-old had established himself as a regular starter towards the end of the 2019/20 Premier League season. The Spaniard also impressed Mikel Arteta, then an assistant coach at Manchester City, during his time at the club. The Arsenal boss has been credited with an interest in signing Garcia as far back as 2020.
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Garcia makes sense for Arsenal
Garcia returned to Barcelona on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City, having previously been part of the Spanish club’s famed La Masia academy. However, he has been in and out of the starting XI during his time at the Camp Nou, and has shifted around between centre-back and midfield roles, failing to nail down either one as truly his own.
That very same versatility may be exactly what makes him such an appealing option to Arteta. It was a quality provided to Arsenal by £38 million summer signing Jurrien Timber, who could play anywhere across the back line and in the middle of the park, prior to his ACL injury. A loan move for Garcia would be a response from the Gunners to seeing the Dutchman sidelined for so long.
Equally, a return to the Premier League could favour Garcia, too. The £52,000-a-week defender has shown that he can shine in English football and he may benefit from being reunited with Arteta. The fact that he is willing to leave Barcelona suggests a deal could be there to be done.