After having won the La Liga title last season on the back of their defensive solidity, FC Barcelona have once again invested significantly to improve the defensive depth of their squad. Inigo Martinez has already been signed, while Joao Cancelo is also expected to arrive in the coming days on a loan, making the Barcelona defense a truly fearful unit.
However, a natural drawback of having great squad depth is that the players who are lower down in the pecking order do not get the playing time that they desire, resulting in dissatisfaction. This is also the case in FC Barcelona, as Eric Garcia is not happy with his position at the club.
Eric Garcia wants a loan move to Girona
Eric Garcia’s dissatisfaction is high enough to make the defender open up to a loan move away from Barcelona. As previously reported here, Girona is one of the sides that are interested in signing Garcia on loan, and the player also wants to leave the club before the summer transfer window closes.
Garcia currently has a contract with Barcelona till 2026, but he has more in form and more talented defenders ahead of him in the pecking order. Jules Kounde, Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen, and Inigo Martinez are all expected to be ahead of him in Xavi’s pecking order at the center of the defense.
As a result, Garcia has played only 11 minutes against Cadiz and the entire second half against Villarreal this season, despite the injuries of Araujo and Martinez, and the lack of full fitness for Christensen.
Meanwhile, Garcia sees Girona as one of the teams that suit his style of play, and there would be a fixed role for him in Michel’s side as their center-back, Santi Bueno, is likely to end up at Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer.
Xavi wants Garcia to stay
However, Mundo Deportivo reports that Xavi values the former La Masia cadet, and has tried to convince him that the team needs his services and he himself is counting on him this season. Everyone in the current squad, with the possible exception of Lenglet, is important for Xavi, as the Barcelona head coach realizes the demands of the strenuous season ahead.
Garcia’s loan to Girona is also not a very attractive option for Barcelona financially. A loan would not bring in enough income to the Catalan club that can impact their FFP status, and might end up hurting the club if a replacement for Garcia is incorporated. A full sale with a high fee would be another story, but such an offer is not expected to come for Garcia in this window.
