Barcelona tried to undergo reconstruction in the summer transfer window but could not do so with a mediocre transfer budget. Ronald Koeman wanted to sign two players mainly, Memphis Depay from Olympique Lyon and Eric Garcia from Manchester City. Depay had the potential to replace Luis Suarez with ease and a lot of years in his hand to play for the Blaugrana. Even if a deal was agreed between both the clubs on the deadline day, Barca’s high salary made it impossible to make the move and La Liga restricted accordingly.
Eric Garcia: Barcelona’s top priority
Eric Garcia’s signing was essential to Barcelona with an improper defense line at present. Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba are the only constants to feature at the defense during the course of the season. Gerard Pique is growing old and Samuel Umtiti has sat out for most of the matches following his transfer from Lyon in 2016 due to injuries. Garcia is a former La Masia graduate and could settle into the Catalan outfit. Also, the youngster could bag more playtime than that he receives at the Premier League outfit.
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Barcelona’s defensive problems were exposed after the Champions League defeat in the hands of champions Bayern Munich with a 2-8 scoreline. The quarter-finals exit was bitter and humiliating which is one of the reasons Barca should concentrate on bolstering their backline. Eric Garcia’s contract will end in 2021 and he will be available for free.
Barcelona prepare to shortlist for loaning defenders
With the economic problems Barca is facing, they might go on to sign him without any cost. Hence, the Catalunya side may go on to execute a back-up plan for the winter transfer break. Barcelona is aiming to loan a defender with a lack of option for Koeman in the squad with only Araujo, Lenglet, and Pique being the center-backs available.
Barca is scouting a low-cost centre-half with experience in top-tier football, as per SPORT. There are speculations about certain players like Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger and Arsenal’s Mustafi from the Premier League. Barca may also go forward to snap up AC Milan veteran Mateo Musacchio and Roma’s Federico Fazio in the January transfer window. The club does not have good luck with signing players between the season as they have struggled to make an impact at the club. Some examples of such signings are Jeison Murillo, Yerry Mina, and Jean-Clair Todibo.
