Arsenal have now officially missed out on signing Eric Garcia, after he completed a move to Barcelona today.
Arsenal have been linked with Garcia over many months now, with Mikel Arteta seemingly keen on the central defender.
The Daily Star said two months ago that Garcia had turned down Arsenal, but a few weeks later it was reported that the Gunners still wanted to land him.
The same source claimed that Arsenal had been put on ‘red alert’ after developments gave them hope that a move to Barcelona may fall through.
However, their optimism was officially ended today – as Garcia put pen to paper on a contract at the Nou Camp.
Interestingly, if Arsenal ever do go back in for Garcia – then getting the defender, who was once described as ‘incredible’ by Pep Guardiola (Goal), could just have become a lot more difficult.
Huge release clause
Garcia’s new deal at Barca includes a release clause worth £344 million, Sky Sports report.
Of course, no club is going to meet that sort of figure – but it does mean that if Garcia succeeds than the La Liga giants will be under no pressure to sell.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are set to have to look elsewhere on their hunt for a central defender.
Mikel Arteta’s side are fairly well stocked in the heart of their defence, but with David Luiz leaving, there is a feeling that the Gunners will look to land a new leader at the back in the coming weeks.
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