Real Madrid president blocked defender’s €30 million January exit – here’s why | OneFootball

It is known that Fran Garcia came closer than many realised to leaving Real Madrid during the January transfer window, but the move was actually stopped at the very top.

At the time, it was widely reported that Madrid rejected a significant offer from the Premier League, with squad depth cited as the main reason. 

However, fresh details now reveal a very different story – one that revolves entirely around club president Florentino Perez and his long-standing transfer policy.

Bournemouth were interested

According to the latest information from Ramon Alvarez de Mon, Real Madrid received a €30 million bid for Garcia from Bournemouth. 

The proposal was serious enough that the player himself was open to making the move, seeing it as an opportunity for more consistent playing time.

Crucially, the deal also had internal approval from the coaching side, as manager Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly gave the green light, signalling that Garcia’s departure would not disrupt the squad structure.

There was also a clear sporting reason behind Bournemouth’s interest, as their manager, Andoni Iraola, knows Garcia well from their time together at Rayo Vallecano and viewed him as a perfect fit for his system. 

Fran Garcia could have left Real Madrid in January. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The Premier League side were keen to bring him in, even if initially only for the second half of the season. Yet, despite all parties aligning, the transfer never progressed.

So what happened?

The reason was Florentino Perez’s refusal to even consider the offer.

The Real Madrid president is known for maintaining strict control over transfer decisions, and in this case, he remained firm to his long-held philosophy – no squad changes during the January window. 

“No signings and No departures in January,” is Perez’s strategy, which is why Garcia ended up staying at Real Madrid. 

Right now, with competition from Ferland Mendy and the emergence of Alvaro Carreras, Garcia’s role has become increasingly limited, raising further questions about the decision.

Back then, Real Madrid refused to let him leave, but in the summer, they might look to cash in on him.