Flick stance on exit of 23 y/o Barca man in January transfer window explained

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick appeared a little confused at the suggestion that Eric Garcia could leave the club in the January transfer market on Friday, ahead of their Copa del Rey clash with Barbastro. The Catalan defender then scored in their 4-0 win.

Slightly before his press conference, reports had emerged that a deal had been agreed with Girona that would see Garcia return to Montilivi for ten million euros, but when asked about a possible exit for the centre-back, Flick said he had no knowledge of his desire to leave. .

However, this also contradicts reports from just under a month earlier, which said that Flick had an honest conversation with him about the fact that Garcia would not have many minutes in the second half of the season, with the return from injury of Ronald Araujo and Andreas. Christensen. The German manager did not indicate the exit door, but made it clear that he would not stand in his way if he did want to leave.

However, the situation regarding the registrations of Dani Olmo and Pau Victor has changed things, reports Sport. The club was only open to a sale if they also stayed within their salary cap, as a loan would not allow them to strengthen much in the transfer window they are currently in. Flick doesn't want to lose Garcia if he's without Olmo. or Victor, as it could see more opportunities for Garcia in midfield.

If Olmo is already in a thin side, Pedri or Gavi will be more likely to play further forward when Olmo can no longer play, and that will give Garcia more minutes at the base of midfield. Alternatively, if Garcia were to leave, Flick would need an arrival in midfield to compensate for his absence. That is something that Barcelona's sporting management agrees with.

Barcelona have certainly left Flick in a difficult situation, with only youngsters Hector Fort and Gerard Martin to fill the full-back positions, and Marc Casado as his only natural midfielder, even if that is partly due to the injury of Marc Bernal. Garcia has been competent without impressing in midfield so far.