Barcelona continues working to lighten its squad for the 2025/2026 season, as the club needs to free up its wage bill and meet the demands of Financial Fair Play. Under the direction of Joan Laporta and with Hansi Flick leading the sports project, the blaugrana entity is making tough decisions. Among them is the attempt to move on players who aren't in the German coach's plans.
One of the most delicate cases is that of Eric García, the Catalan center-back doesn't want to leave the club. He feels comfortable in Barcelona and trusts he can convince Flick during the preseason. However, from the offices at Camp Nou, they have other plans, the blaugrana club has already started offering the homegrown player to several teams across Europe.
According to sources close to the culé environment, Roma and Lazio, two historic Italian soccer clubs, have been contacted. There's also interest in the Premier League, where Tottenham and Brentford are possible destinations. Four clubs with different sporting and economic profiles, but all with room to accommodate Eric.
Gavi and Casado surprise
Barça believes that the defender's departure could be key to registering players like Marc Casado or closing new signings. In addition, Gavi's physical situation and Pedri's injury problems make it necessary to reinforce other areas of the field. Flick needs a balanced team, and for that, it's essential to move on footballers with less prominence.
Despite not having a leading role in the final stretch of last season, Eric left a good impression during his loan at Girona. Míchel's team valued his performance positively, but they haven't considered a new deal. The player also isn't considering a return to Montilivi; his desire is to succeed at Barça, although the club seems to have lost faith in him.
Eric García on the way out
Meanwhile, Diego Simeoneis still keeping an eye on the defensive market. Although Atlético de Madrid hasn't shown concrete interest in Eric, the Argentine is looking for a versatile center-back. If any deal falls through, it's not ruled out that the homegrown player's name could come up again at the Metropolitano.
Hansi Flick has already given his list of preferences to the sports management. Eric isn't among the indispensable players. The Catalan player's versatility isn't enough to guarantee minutes in a squad where the coach wants strength, speed, and clean ball distribution from the back.
With a contract until 2026, the center-back's future remains uncertain, his camp insists he won't change his mind, Barça has taken the first step to sell him. It remains to be seen if any of the interested teams can convince him. The market is open and Joan Laporta knows every sale counts, especially when the accounts need to be balanced before new signings.