Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Girona wanted Spanish ace, Arnau Tenas open to return, and more - September 10, 2024
Barcelona are preparing to lock horns with Girona on Sunday, September 15, in La Liga. Hansi Flick's team arrive at the tie in impeccable form, having already won all of their four games this season.
Meanwhile, a Spanish defender was wanted at the Estadi Montilivi this summer. Elsewhere, Arnau Tenas has opened up on a possible return to Camp Nou.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from September 10, 2024.
Girona wanted Eric Garcia this summer
Girona wanted to bring Eric Garcia back to the club this summer, sporting director Quique Carcel has confirmed. The Spanish defender spent last season on loan at Estadi Montilivi and was quite impressive.
Garcia registered 33 appearances across competitions, including 32 in La Liga, helping Gironistes finish third in the league. The 23-year-old was linked with an exit from Barcelona in the recent transfer window, but ended up staying.
Speaking to the press, as cited by Get Football News Spain, Carcel added that Girona did everything possible to get a deal done.
“We wanted Eric to come back because he is a player who would have helped us to be more competitive and to define the coach’s game. It would have been an excellent signing for us and that is why we asked Barca for him,” said Carcel.
He continued:
"I think they did not want him to leave, but everyone knows how things are at home, it is a situation that they will know. I tried, but it was not possible.”
Garcia has appeared three times for the Catalans this season, all of which were from the bench.
Arnau Tenas open to Barcelona return
Arnau Tenas has refused to close the door on a return to Barcelona in the future. The 23-year-old custodian rose through the ranks at La Maria and was once tipped to become Marc-Andre ter Stegen's successor at Camp Nou.
However, Tenas was allowed to leave in the summer of 2023 as a free agent and he went on to join Paris Saint-German (PSG). The Spaniard has previously stated that the Catalans failed to offer him a new deal.
Speaking recently, as cited by Que Thi Jugues, Tenas added that he remains settled at the Parc des Princes.
“Yes, why not? Barcelona will always be my home, hopefully. But what if at PSG I feel super comfortable? I will continue because I love PSG. You can never close any door,” said Tenas.
Tenas is behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order for the Parisians and has registered just six appearances for the club to date.
Catalans in touch with Jonathan Tah, says journalist
Barcelona have already established contact with Jonathan Tah to facilitate a move next summer, according to journalist Matteo Moretto. The German defender is in the final year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen and has already announced his decision to leave in 2025.
The Catalans are keeping an eye out for cost effective deals amid their poor financial situation. The chance to bolster their backline by signing Tah is too hard to resist. Recent reports have suggested that Bayern Munich are already in the race for the 28-year-old.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Moretto insisted that the German defender is yet to make a decision on his future.
"I don’t think Tah’s future is already decided by any means. As he himself admitted, he will be free to decide where to go," wrote Moretto.
He continued:
“Barcelona are in the race, as are other clubs. Barcelona already initiated contacts for Tah at the end of this transfer market, and in the coming weeks, will try to see if it is possible for them sign him on a free transfer within their salary limit restrictions.”
With Ronald Araujo, Andreas Christensen and Eric Garcia all linked with exits, a move for Tah makes sense for the La Liga giants.