FC Barcelona is uncertain about Eric García's future: Will Flick let him go?

FC Barcelona is still unclear about what to do with Eric García. The '24' is sought after by clubs like Girona and Real Sociedad, but he is also an important piece for Hansi Flick in his rotation plans. Initially, the latest reports suggest a departure price in the range of 15-20 million euros, an acceptable figure considering that his arrival in 2021 was 'at zero cost'.

The 24-year-old defender signed a five-year deal when he returned to the club from Manchester City as a free agent in July 2021, with a release clause of 400 'kilos'. For now, there are no updates regarding his renewal, a determining factor in knowing whether the club decides to sell him or not. The player, although he feels comfortable in Barcelona, is willing to listen to offers, as his priority is to join a team where he has more chances of being a starter.

Moreover, beyond the confidence of the coaching staff, the presence of multiple center-backs (Iñigo Martínez, Cubarsí, Araujo, Christensen) and the recovery of midfielders like De Jong and Gavi have affected his minutes, which could pressure the club or Eric himself to consider options, especially given Barça's need to generate income this summer. Nevertheless, Hansi Flick continues to prioritize his stay in the team.

Hansi Flick is clear: Eric García is a very valuable player

Throughout the season, Flick has blocked several transfer opportunities for the Catalan defender. For example, in the last winter market, Girona and Como from Serie A tried to sign him (the Italians offered 7 million euros plus variables), but the coach personally intervened to keep him, arguing that he needed him in the team.

In April 2025, after the international break, the coach stated that "with him we have a slightly better defensive balance. After the break, I told him that, despite having offers, I wanted him here". He also highlighted his versatility, professionalism, and improvement: "You can see how he has improved. He is a great player and a great professional. He is the kind of player I want on my team".

Eric García continues to add quality minutes in the final stretch of the season

So far, García remains key in Flick's rotation plan, mainly after the injury of Marc Casadó. However, the full recovery of players like Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen, along with the arrival of new reinforcements (like Jonathan Tah) keeps his continuity for the 25-26 season in doubt. The coaching staff values his ability to play as a center-back and pivot, his tactical intelligence, and his contribution in key moments, but the coach will respect the club's decision in the summer.

Until April 2025, García has not been a regular starter, but he has had a significant role as a substitute, with 32 matches played in all competitions (1,391 minutes). This includes appearances as a center-back and as a defensive midfielder, a role that Flick assigned to him due to the injuries of players like Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal, and more recently, Casadó.