Barcelona are still hopeful of completing the signing of Manchester City center-back Eric Garcia and plan to follow it up with a deal for left-back defenders as well.
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Garcia’s free transfer to Camp Nou had been verbally agreed for several months, but they decided to throw away a key by refraining from their original offer to the Spaniard and instead asking him to sign on reduced terms.
Talks with Garcia in progress Quality Sport Images / Getty Images
According to Mundo Deportivo, talks are continuing with Garcia, but Barcelona remain focused on reaching an agreement, and there are also discussions about bringing in a new center-back to join him.
Barcelona’s wish list includes a left-legged center-back to compliment their back line. As it stands, Clement Lenglet is the only left-footed player, and although Barça are not actively opposed to the idea of playing two right-footed players, they want a little more versatility at the back.
One of the top names on their list is AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli, who will enter the final 12 months of his contract. Barca are already dealing with their agent, Mino Raiola, in their conversation about Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland.
Romagnoli is considered | Alessandro Sabattini / Getty Images
Scouts are also looking at options in the Eredivisie. Ajax Lisandro Martinez and Feyenoord Marcos Senesi have both made their mark on Barcelona’s radar, with Dutch boss Ronald Koeman understood to be a big fan of both.
There are also some low profile names on the list. Real Betis’ Aissa Mandi, who will be out of contract this summer, is a right-footer who is seen as capable of using his left side, while the possibility of buying back 21-year-old Villarreal man Jorge Cuenca is there.
The recruitment of a second defender will probably depend on whether Barcelona can finally download Samuel Umtiti. The Frenchman does not want to leave but is so far down in the breeding order that the club’s officials hope that he will finally accept the defeat.
Barca hope to finally cut ties with Umtiti | Alex Caparros / Getty Images
Garcia remains his main defensive goal, but there is no guarantee that the City kid will agree to move to Barcelona after withdrawing their original contract. The Daily Star recently claimed that both Chelsea and Arsenal are monitoring the situation as well.
President Joan Laporta is still fixated on the idea of signing Haaland, which comes with a price tag of 150 million pounds and some strong wage demands, so all other business must be planned with that in mind.
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