Barcelona not considering the departure of 23-year-old defender – report

Barcelona’s situation at the moment is truly pitiable. In a transfer window filled with massive signings by direct rivals, the Catalans roped in just two players – Dani Olmo and Pau Victor.

Yet, such is their financial distress that they have been unable to register Olmo until now despite selling Ilkay Gundogan, Vitor Roque and Mikayil Faye in a matter of days.

With space on the wage bill an urgent need, Eric Garcia was seen as a possible candidate to be sacrificed, with Girona, showing a strong interest.

In fact, there were rumours of a possible transfer for a fee of around €15 million already being in the works.

The Olympic Gold medalist will stay

Now, according to reports from ESPN, Barcelona are not contemplating the sale of Eric Garcia as it stands.

The board’s decision to prioritise the La Masia graduate’s continuity is not surprising given the first team’s injury struggles in central defence.

Ronald Araujo, the team’s star defender, is out for the first half of the season after undergoing surgery while Andreas Christensen joined him on the sidelines earlier this month.

With Jules Kounde prioritised as a right-back, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez are the only two fit centre-backs at Hansi Flick’s disposal. Garcia’s presence as a backup, thus, is invaluable.

The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with Girona where he served as a regular starter for Michel’s side in a special campaign. 

His minutes have indeed fallen since his return to Catalonia, and as such, it was claimed that the player would be ‘delighted’ to move back to Girona.

But it is safe to say that he will have his share of minutes in the coming months especially given the injury situation. So far, he has come on as a substitute in both of the team’s games and averages 16 minutes per game.

Meeting held

Victor Navarro further reports that there was a meeting held between Barcelona and Eric Garcia’s representatives to discuss his future today.

As reported above, Girona are eager to sign him and the player himself would be open to a move.

Barcelona, for their part, were considering his sale at some point but whether that stance has changed, as ESPN reports, remains to be seen.