Arsenal have been linked with Eric Garcia and it now seems that he and Barcelona are willing to part ways before the January deadline.
That’s according to Catalan newspaper SPORT, who claim that Barcelona are trying to find a way to solve their Financial Fair Play issues.
That means selling fringe players is going to become very appealing and Garcia is a prime candidate.
It’s noted that Garcia doesn’t earn huge money and wouldn’t exactly solve the FFP issues but a transfer fee for him would be useful.
Barca are open to selling Garcia and the defender himself is allegedly open to talking to other clubs during this month’s transfer window.
That’s seemingly a turnaround from the former Manchester City defender, and one which may be of interest to Arsenal.
Eric Garcia open to Barcelona exit amid Arsenal links
SPORT’s claims come just days after rival newspaper Mundo Deportivo went with slightly different information.
They suggested that Garcia was not even contemplating a potential move to Arsenal and was set on playing for Barcelona’s first tema.
It was suggested that Mikel Arteta wanted to reunite with Garcia having coached his fellow Spaniard at Manchester City.
Garcia allegedly wasn’t all that keen on the idea but SPORT seem to think that he is open to leaving the Camp Nou after all.
Garcia, 22, came through the Barcelona ranks and spent nine years in the La Masia ranks.
Manchester City signed him in 2017 and the defender turned out 35 times for Pep Guardiola’s side before a surprise exit.
Garcia decided to return to Barcelona in 2021, where he played 36 times last season.
Xavi has only given Garcia eight league starts this season though and he could now be sacrificed to help Barcelona financially.
We just can’t see Arsenal moving for Garcia this month, even if Arteta may be a fan of his compatriot.
Arsenal just don’t really need a centre back right now with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes impressing.
If Arsenal were going to move for a central defender, it would surely be a left-footed one like Evan Ndicka, offering competition for Gabriel.
Signing another right-footer in Garcia this month just doesn’t add up for us, and even if he is now open to a departure, we can’t see a move to Arsenal materialising.
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