Both Chelsea and Arsenal are said to be considering hijacking Barcelona’s move for outgoing Manchester City youngster Eric Garcia this summer.
The Spaniard looked to be an important part of Pep Guardiola’s side after appearing to have cemented his place in the starting XI at the end of last season.
However, the arrivals of Ruben Dias and Nathan Aké have seen him fall into the picking order at the Etihad Stadium, and he has gone on to make just four Premier League appearances this season.
Ruben Dias has been a rock for City this season BSR Agency / Getty Images
With the 20-year-old’s contract expiring this summer and no news regarding a new deal, it was widely expected that he would move back to the boys’ club Barcelona, where he spent nine years in their famous La Masia youth set.
An oral five-year agreement between the two parties was assumed to have been agreed, but recent reports have suggested that the deal is now jeopardized after Barça’s attempt to return to the offer originally made.
The Catalan club is said to have halved the offer they had agreed with the City man, which means that Garcia would not yet be able to go anywhere other than Camp Nou.
Guardiola gives Garcia instructions earlier this season PAUL ELLIS / Getty Images
The Daily Star reports that Premier League clubs Chelsea and Arsenal have both been warned after the news of Garcia’s sudden availability on a free, and that the London duo could go head to head in an attempt to sign the defender.
The report provides some substantial evidence that the couple has expressed interest in Garcia, so the links are currently little more than speculation.
Could Eric Garcia stay in the Premier League? | Pool / Getty Images
The need for defensive reinforcements at Arsenal has been clear for a number of seasons now, while Chelsea’s desire to bring in a young central defender would also make a lot of sense given that Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta both go into the twilight of their respective careers.
While both clubs are really interested in Garcia, it remains to be seen if the reports are accurate.
