Arsenal are now working on a last-gasp transfer for Eric Garcia with Mikel Arteta eager to sign the FC Barcelona talent whom Pep Guardiola adores to replace Jurrien Timber.
That is according to Football Transfers, which reports that Arsenal are in talks with Barcelona to explore Garcia’s availability. Arteta has identified the 22-year-old as a late target to secure a switch to Emirates Stadium with Timber’s ACL injury ruling him out of much of this season.
Arsenal hope Barcelona agree to loan Garcia for the 2023/24 campaign to fill Timber’s place. The Gunners admire that the 19-cap Spain international can operate from his natural centre-half role, plus as a holding midfielder. Arteta only wants players who play multiple positions.
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Arsenal are in talks with Barcelona over Eric Garcia’s transfer
A move for Garcia appeals to Arteta as the Arsenal boss demanded the Gunners target a late transfer of a mobile centre-back. Barcelona are also open to letting their one-time academy product leave Camp Nou. But the Blaugrana would prefer to sell him now than grant a loan.
Barcelona will continue to listen to Arsenal’s approach for Garcia’s temporary transfer ahead of deadline day. Although Arteta faces rivalling some unnamed Spanish sides to sign a player he worked with at Manchester City. Garcia re-joined Barcelona as a free agent in July 2021.
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Pep Guardiola adored Eric Garcia whilst at Manchester City
Manchester City raided the Blaugrana’s academy for Garcia in July 2017. He advanced to get 35 senior appearances under Guardiola. The Citizens coach even hailed the Barcelona-born defender as ‘exceptional’ in January 2021. But Garcia was determined to re-join Barcelona.
Garcia has since made 69 appearances with the Blaugrana’s first-team, including making 32 appearances last season. But Xavi Hernandez has only fielded the 22-year-old, who can also play as a right-back, once this term. Garcia played for 11 minutes in a 2-0 win over Cadiz CF.