Speaking at a media appearance earlier today, Girona sporting director Quique Carcel confirmed that they did make an approach to sign Eric Garcia from Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
Garcia, 23, spent the last season on loan at Girona and enjoyed a fine campaign, helping the Catalans secure a top-four finish in La Liga.
Back at Barça, there were speculations during the summer that the Spanish international would potentially return to Girona, especially in the latter stages of the window when the Catalans were finding it tricky to register Dani Olmo.
Quique Carcel on Garcia pursuit
However, the spate of injuries eventually prompted Hansi Flick to veto Garcia’s exit, with Girona’s director now confirming that they did indeed make a move for the centre-back.
Indeed, Carcel admitted that Girona asked Barcelona for the 23-year-old versatile defender as they felt he would be a top addition to their squad.
“We wanted Eric to come back because he is a player who would have helped us to be more competitive and to define the game of the coach. He would have been an excellent signing on our part and that’s why we asked Barça for him,” he said.
Explaining why the move did not go through, the Girona director added: “I think they did not want him to leave, but everyone knows how things are in their house, it is a situation that they will know. I tried, but it could not be.”
Carcel on Romeu, Pau Victor deals
While the Eric Garcia deal might not have taken place, Barcelona and Girona did work on two operations in the summer.
Indeed, Oriol Romeu returned to Montilivi on loan from Barcelona while Pau Victor ended up in Hansi Flick’s squad after a season on loan at Barça Atletic from Girona.
Expressing his pleasure at re-signing Romeu, Carcel remarked: “I have always commented that Oriol was fundamental in Girona, as a player and with his values.
“Last year he had the great opportunity to play for Barça and he made the most of it, but he went from better to worse.
“We were attentive to his situation because we believed he could help us. It was not easy because Barça, in preseason, did not have a full squad, but Oriol’s desire to return was very important.”
On Pau Victor moving the other way, he added: “Pau Victor had an offer from Barça’s first team and he wanted to leave, there wasn’t much else. I am very happy for him, I think he had an excellent year last year.”
Barcelona will take on Girona this weekend at Montilivi, although Romeu will be unavailable to take the field due to the presence of the ‘fear clause’ in the loan agreement.
*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.
