"The story is closed" - Hansi Flick shuts down rumors linking Barcelona star with a move away from the club
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has shut down rumors linking centre-back Eric Garcia with a move away from the club in the ongoing transfer window. The German claimed that "the story is closed" with respect to the Spaniard's long-term links with fellow La Liga side Girona.
While he started off at Barca's famed La Masia academy, Garcia moved to Premier League side Manchester City's academy in July 2017. He made his first-team breakthrough in 2019 and made 35 appearances for the Cityzens over the next two years before moving back to the Catalan giants on a free transfer.
He has been in and out of Barcelona's lineup, making 68 appearances in his first two seasons at the club. He spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Girona, playing a major role in their third-place finish in La Liga, also scoring five goals in 30 games.
Garcia has returned to Barca and is likely to be an important member in Flick's squad, especially after the 59-year-old's comments on his role. The German tactician said (via Fabrizio Romano on X):
"Eric Garcia stays at Barca and the story is closed."
Barcelona are currently dealing with a major injury crisis. While they are without Gavi, Marc Bernal, and Frenkie de Jong in midfield, the absence of Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo has taken a significant hit on their defensive stocks.
Recently, Garcia himself suffered a plantar fascitis injury to his right foot. However, he has already resumed training and will be especially important as a backup to preferred starters Inigo Martinez and Pau Cubarsi.
"It's good to have players who can also play in other positions" - Barcelona manager Hansi Flick praises Eric Garcia's versatility
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick lavished praise on defender Eric Garcia, commending his positional versatility.
While the 23-year-old is primarily a centre-back, he has also held his own when deployed as a right-back and a defensive midfielder. His impressive ball control and ball-playing ability, some of his best-known attributes, have helped him seamlessly transition from one role to another in the past.
Describing how important the versatility of Garcia and attacker Raphinha could be for his side, Flick said (via FC Barcelona on X):
"His natural position is more as a centre-back, but in our situation, it is good to have players that can play in other positions. We have to adapt this, and it's really good when we have players like Eric or Rapha (Raphinha) in the offense who can play more than one position."
"For every team, it would be perfect. I know that Eric wants to play more in the centre-back (role), but the team counts, not the individual, and that is very important," Flick concluded.
Barcelona currently sit atop the La Liga table with a perfect record (three wins in three games). Up next, they face Real Valladolid at home on August 31.