Chelsea could move for €25m Barcelona star in January if contract talks stall | OneFootball

FC Barcelona are open to player sales when the right offer comes in, but not every player is willing to leave. The Catalan club has also identified several key members of the squad as central to their long-term project and remains determined to keep them, even in the face of significant interest from other teams.

In recent months, Premier League side Chelsea has been repeatedly linked with several Barcelona players. Over the summer, the London club held talks for Fermin Lopez and even made inquiries about Marc Casado.

Now, according to a report from TBR Football, Chelsea’s attention has shifted toward 24-year-old Spanish defender Eric Garcia.

Interestingly, the same report claims that Chelsea have been offered the chance to sign Ronald Araujo, yet the English club appears more interested in Garcia instead.

Garcia’s contract with Barcelona runs until 2026, and discussions are currently underway over a renewal. His existing deal includes a €400 million release clause.

TBR Football adds that Chelsea would be open to making a move if renewal talks between Garcia and Barcelona stall. Tottenham Hotspur are also said to maintain an interest in the €25 million-rated defender after previously asking about him earlier this year.

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Eric has been one of the most improved players since Hansi Flick arrived at the club. The Catalan defender has suffered a lot of criticism since his arrival from Man City in 2021, but he has turned over a new leaf in the last 12 months.

After Inigo Martinez’s exit in the summer, the first-choice center-back partner for Pau Cubarsi was a position that was up for grabs, and based on the first few games of the season, the 24-year-old seems to be winning the race. He is now a pivotal part of Flick’s plans.

Given that Garcia’s contract situation remains unresolved, Chelsea could look to take advantage in January if talks do not progress. For now, though, Barcelona remain confident that the Spaniard will sign a new deal and continue under Hansi Flick beyond this season.