Third Barcelona centre-back could exit before the end of the transfer window – destination on the table

Barcelona defender Eric Garcia said two weeks ago that he would be returning to the club to stay after Spain won Olympic gold in Paris. Yet with five days to go in the transfer market, Garcia’s situation remains up in the air.

After the exits of Clement Lenglet and Mikayil Faye, Garcia could be a third exit in defence before the close of the window. The 23-year-old enjoyed a strong season last year at Girona on loan, and Barcelona’s Catalan neighbours remain interested in him. Theey have been linked with a €15m move for Garcia, with Michel Sanchez admitting that he is unsure what will happen with the ex-Manchester City man.

Matteo Moretto has informed Football España that he is one of the players that could still leave Barcelona in the final days of the transfer market, with Lenglet’s deal and Vitor Roque’s loan to Real Betis to be confirmed. Garcia’s situation remains uncertain, as Barcelona try to work on registering Dani Olmo as soon as possible.

Garcia has been used in the closing stages of both of Barcelona’s first two La Liga matches of the season, with Hansi Flick utilising him as a central midfielder alongside first Marc Casado and then Pedri to close out games. It looks as if Jules Kounde will be used at right-back as things stand, but Garcia still has Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo for competition, although the Uruguayan is out of action for much of 2024.