Barcelona see German centre-back as ideal replacement for Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia is expected to be back in action for Hansi Flick’s Barcelona after the upcoming international break, and word has it that he will return to being a backup centre-back.

With resources now available once more in midfield, the manager values Garcia more as a centre-back where Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are still unavailable.

Yet, the player remains dissatisfied with his role at the club and is reportedly considering a move back to Girona where he shone last season as a regular starter.

Plan B materializing

According to a recent update from SPORT, Jonathan Tah is a strong candidate to sign for Barcelona should Garcia leave.

The Catalans have many factors working in their favour to ensure the deal gets over the line.

The German defender’s current deal with Bayer Leverkusen ends next summer and the player does not intend to renew his contract.

He will thus be available as a free agent next summer, forcing his team to allow him to leave for a lower fee in January.

Further, Flick has personally entered the scene and is said to be pulling the strings with the player’s agent Pini Zahavi to make a stronger case to sign for Barcelona.

Tah’s starting price would be around €20 million, a value much lower than his market valuation.

Given that the club recently got the deal with Nike over the line, funds are unlikely to be a problem.

Tah will provide a very different defensive profile to the existing core as he brings a strong aerial presence, a dominating physique and great height. 

Given the form of Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez coupled with the competition from Araujo and Christensen, however, he will not have it easy to see minutes.