Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to sign Barcelona defender Eric Garcia, who is likely to leave the club this summer.
Mikel Arteta, is reportedly eager to secure the services of Barcelona’s Eric Garcia during the upcoming transfer window. The young defender moved to the Nou Camp on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2019, but has struggled to establish himself in the starting XI.
This season, Garcia has made just 11 starts in La Liga, with manager Xavi preferring to field Marcos Alonso in central defense.
With Barcelona set to sign Inigo Martinez on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao, Garcia’s playing time is expected to further diminish, prompting rumors of a potential move away from the Catalan giants.
Garcia had rebuffed Arsenal’s advances during the January transfer window, preferring to fight for his place in Barcelona’s squad. However, it now seems that the 22-year-old is unlikely to accept a similar role in the upcoming season, leading to speculation over his future.
Reports suggest that Arteta, who had previously worked with Garcia while he was the assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is insistent on bringing the Spanish defender to the Emirates.
The Arsenal boss is said to be well aware of Garcia’s attributes and reportedly views him as a player with the ‘perfect profile’ for his team. It remains to be seen if Arsenal can secure the services of Garcia, with competition likely to be fierce in the transfer market.