Arsenal are back in the race to sign Manchester City defender Eric Garcia after Barcelona changed the terms of his potential move to the Camp Nou, as reported by the Daily Star.
It seemed that this particular story had come to an end.
Garcia’s Manchester City contract is due to expire in July and it is no secret that a return to Barcelona, where he started his professional career, is the 20-year-old’s number one priority.
“I think Eric Garcia is going to play for Barcelona and they do not buy normal players, they want him because he is a top player,” City boss Pep Guardiola told Marca a few weeks ago.
Nothing is ever simple in Catalonia, of course.
And a club who have become synonymous with mismanagement appear to have tied themselves up in knots once again.
According to the Daily Star, cash-strapped Barcelona have now changed the terms of the deal, asking Garcia, who had already agreed a move back to Spain, to accept a contract on reduced terms.
And Arsenal, as you might imagine, are suddenly on ‘red alert’.
Mikel Arteta would jump at the chance to reunite with his former City starlet at the Emirates, a classy, ball-playing centre-half Guardiola described as an ‘incredible‘ talent.
El Mundo Deportivo back up these claims, stating that Barcelona are now trying to encourage Garcia to accept a smaller pay-packet due to concerns over the financial sanctions imposed by La Liga.
Garcia, for what it’s worth, has been left ‘surprised and disgusted’ by Barca’s stance.
And Arsenal may be about to take full advantage.
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