According to La Vanguardia, Barcelona have now decided to shelve a deal for Manchester City defender Eric Garcia.
It has long been expected that Garcia will sign a pre-contract deal to rejoin Barca at the end of the season.
However, the financial situation at the club is so troubling that Barca have now scrapped the move – both in terms of a cash deal this month and a pre-contract move.
A deal could be resurrected once Barca’s presidential race is settled, but the decision now leaves Barca open to losing Garcia completely.
Mundo Deportivo claim that Mauricio Pochettino wants him at Paris Saint-Germain, whilst Mikel Arteta is still keen on an Arsenal reunion.
Arteta worked closely with Garcia during his time on Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at City, so he knows his compatriot well.
Garcia, 20, has shown promise in City’s first team, and could give Arsenal another long-term centre back option alongside Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba.
Whether City would want to sell to a Premier League rival remains to be seen, but Barcelona’s stance will suddenly give Arsenal hope of a late deal.
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