BARCELONA have shifted their attentions to Eric Garcia ahead of the January transfer window, reports claim.
The Catalans tried to get the Manchester City defender in the summer, having a £16million bid knocked back by Pep Guardiola’s side.
Eric Garcia could leave Man City in JanuaryCredit: AP:Associated Press
It was thought their attentions had turned toward reuniting boss Ronald Koeman with Dutch national team star Memphis Depay.
But following Gerard Pique’s horror injury sustained at the weekend, chiefs have been forced to think again.
The stalwart limped out of Barca’s 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid on Saturday night with a cruciate knee ligament injury.
And following assessments that Pique, 33, is set to miss around six months of action, Goal claim that Barcelona chiefs are desperate to land Garcia, 19, earlier than expected.
Garcia, already a four-cap Spain international, burst onto the scene with City last season, making 20 first-team appareances.
Despite this rise to prominence, he has declined to sign a new contract – with his current deal set to expire in the summer.
Barca tested the waters in the summer, to try and bring back the defender that left their academy in 2017.
City, however, held firm – and Barcelona may have to pay more than the £16m they turned down last month – despite the fact that Garcia would be able to negotiate a free transfer away for next summer.
Barca are also targeting Memphis DepayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gerard Pique sustained an awful knee injury on SaturdayCredit: EPA
The defender has been more on the fringes this term, playing in only two of City’s eight league games so far.
As for Lyon star Depay, the 26-year-old appears to be as eager as ever to join Barcelona – but for now is focusing on his current club.
He recently said on the prospect: “Who wouldn’t like to play there? They are one of the best teams in the world. Everyone would like to play there, but I’m not thinking about that.
“I don’t know about Barca. The transfer market is not open. My mind isn’t on that.
“I am trying to give my best, to play well in order to become a better player. There is a lot of speculation out there.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
