Arsenal Eye Eric Garcia on Cut-Price Man City Deal

Arsenal are on the lookout for a central defender in the January transfer window.

With the primary issues laid bare this season, the need for a creative solution at Arsenal doesn’t discount the other areas that need tending to.

It’s been noted that Mikel Arteta is on the lookout for two additions in the coming window: a right-sided central defender and a creative forward. In order to achieve those targets there will need to be a combination of players leaving and money departing, given there is an already bloated squad to contend with.

Shipping players out could prove most problematic of all, yet it’s the potential arrivals of the winter window which are garnering all the attention.

The latest speculation involves Arteta’s former side Manchester City. It was only a matter of time before links to players from his former stomping ground emerged – we’ve already seen John Stones mentioned as a player Arteta admires – with attention now on defensive recruits.

Eric Garcia joined City from hometown side Barcelona as a 17-year-old, working his way up through the academy and making his senior debut in 2018. Opportunities have been more forthcoming for the Catalan defender of late, as he was instilled as Pep Guardiola’s first choice centre-back alongside Aymeric Laporte at the end of the 2019/20 campaign.

However, Garcia rejected a contract extension in the summer with Guardiola admitting that he’s eager to depart the Etihad Stadium. Former side Barcelona have expressed their interest, but no deal was struck over the most recent window.

Club finances prevented the move, although it’s been said that the player’s wish is to return to La Blaugrana. So, where do Arsenal come into all of this?