According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Eric Garcia is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The Villans are keen on reinforcing their defensive unit in the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the 24-year-old former Manchester City centre-back. Monchi is the driving force behind the West Midlands club’s move for the Barcelona utility man.
Eric Garcia has endured a topsy-turvy ride since turning professional. The Spaniard spent most of his formative years in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia setup but ended his youth career at Manchester City after struggling to decipher a clear pathway to first-team football at Camp Nou.
The 24-year-old was among Pep Guardiola’s favourite protégés after breaking into the first-team squad at Manchester City. However, Garcia left Manchester City as a free agent to return to FC Barcelona in July 2021. Since then, he has been in and out of the starting lineup at the Catalan club.
The Spanish international has become a utility player for Barcelona in the last four years due to his ability to play as a centre-back, a right-back, and a holding midfielder. Garcia has turned out over 100 times thus far for Barcelona while chipping in with five goals and four assists. Meanwhile, the player’s recent exploits have piqued the attention of several well-known clubs, including Aston Villa.
Widespread reports linked Aston Villa with Eric Garcia in the winter transfer window. The West Midlands club’s interest in the Barcelona utility man is understandable, considering they are keen on signing a centre-back in the summer transfer window amid Tyrone Mings’s advancing age.
In addition, Axel Disasi will unlikely complete a permanent move to Villa Park after his loan deal ends. So, Garcia has emerged as a viable target for Aston Villa, with Monchi working on the deal to sign the 24-year-old Spaniard from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
However, a deal may not be straightforward, considering recent reports have pointed to FC Barcelona’s eagerness to tie the utility man to a new contract. So, it will be interesting to see if Monchi can bring the Spanish international back to the Premier League.
