In the summer transfer season, Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to make a move for Barcelona defender Eric Garcia
The Gunners are in first place in the Premier League and are likely to end in the top four, securing Champions League eligibility for the upcoming season. In the last three transfer windows, Arteta has assembled a team that is capable of competing for big awards, but there are still concerns about the depth of the Arsenal squad in the event that they sustain serious injuries.
However, Arteta will try to change that during the summer transfer season because many players have already been connected to a move to the Emirates Stadium. Former Manchester City defender Garcia, who left the Etihad Stadium for Barcelona on a free transfer in 2021, is one player they are keeping an eye on.
As a result of rumours that Garcia is “not in Xavi Hernandez’s plans,” Spanish newspaper Nacional asserts that Arteta, who coached Garcia at Man City, is “very attentive to the delicate situation” of Garcia at Barcelona. The Barcelona hierarchy, led by Joan Laporta and Mateu Alemany, “continues to believe that the best course of action is to show him the exit door” despite the fact that Garcia has only started 13 games across all competitions this season.
The Spain international centre back, referred to as the “black sheep” of the Barcelona locker room, is up for sale, and Barcelona is hoping to get €15 million for him. To “everyone at the Camp Nou’s surprise,” Arsenal has now “appeared on the scene” for Garcia, and Barcelona “won’t hesitate” to accept “an attractive enough offer.” Although Garcia “continues working in silence” while he waits for his chance, he “would not look down on a return to the Premier League.”
Nicolas Pepe, who cost £72 million to bring from Lille in 2019, is still Arsenal’s most expensive acquisition. However, in the summer, he was sent out on loan to Nice of France. Speaking to France Bleu Azur, Pepe expressed doubt about his future at the Emirates Stadium and placed the onus on Arteta to take over.
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