Arsenal are weighing up a surprise loan move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia.
The Gunners are a man down in defence after Jurrien Timber’s injury and looking for a short-term solution. They tried to sign Garcia when he left Manchester City on a free transfer two years ago, but he chose Barcelona instead.
Now, Mikel Arteta’s men have renewed their interest and could swoop before the transfer window closes. Arteta knows the 22-year-old well from their time together at City, and the player would welcome a return to the Premier League.
Garcia made 32 appearances for Barcelona last season, but the club are willing to discuss him moving on. The centre-back is yet to make a start for the Blaugrana so far this term and slipped down Xavi's pecking order last season.
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Despite being in demand when his City contract expired in 2021, Garcia has struggled to kick on at the Camp Nou. Garcia won his first Spanish league title in Catalonia earlier this year, but only after the likes of Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde took precedence in central defence.
In fact, Garcia has played mostly in a makeshift defensive midfield role under Xavi so far this season. That may leave the six-foot Spain international wanting when it comes to providing the same versatility that Arteta wanted from £38million man Timber.
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The Netherlands international was brought in from Ajax to provide competition and depth in both central defence and both full-back positions. However, Garcia hasn't shown himself to be the same asset out wide and has played his football almost exclusively as a centre-back.
Arteta already has a myriad of options in that part of the park with William Saliba, Gabriel, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior and Rob Holding all natural centre-backs. Even £100m signing Declan Rice could do a job in that area given the England star started his career in central defence.
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Instead, Arteta may be in the market for a more malleable asset capable of mimicking Timber's role. Left-back option Oleksandr Zinchenko has already spent part of this season on the sidelines due to injury, while Kieran Tierney recently joined Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.
Nuno Tavares – who spent last season on loan at Marseille – is expected to be moved on again this summer despite the apparent need for cover at full-back. However, it's unknown just how open Barca would be to letting Garcia leave considering they look fairly light on options in defence themselves.
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