Barcelona forced to rethink transfer strategy thanks to 24-year-old’s sudden rise | OneFootball

According to SPORT, Eric Garcia’s emergence at right-back in recent matches has come as a welcome surprise for FC Barcelona, particularly in light of Jules Kounde’s injury.

The Catalan defender, who was once considered expendable and nearly left in January, is now making a strong case to become a long-term solution in a position that has troubled the club for years.

Barcelona have been actively scouting right-backs, with Jeremie Frimpong long viewed as one of their top targets. However, with the Dutch international now in advanced talks with Liverpool, the Blaugrana’s options in the market are narrowing.

Other names, such as Vanderson, Andrei Ratiu, and Marc Pubill, remain on the table, but none of them have sparked the same internal confidence that Garcia has recently generated.

A long-term role for Garcia?

Garcia’s performances filling in for Kounde have been impressive—not only solid and reliable but also tactically intelligent.

His ability to read the game, remain composed under pressure, and slot into Flick’s system with ease has caught the attention of the coaching staff.

Eric Garcia’s stocks have risen at Barcelona. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

In fact, it is now being reported that both the club and Hansi Flick are seriously considering keeping Garcia in that role long-term. In fact, there are talks that Barcelona could dissolve their search for signing a new right-back altogether.

What makes this development even more remarkable is that Garcia was on the verge of leaving in the winter transfer window. The only thing that stopped the move was a personal conversation with Flick, who convinced the defender to stay and fight for his place.

That decision is now paying dividends. Garcia has gone from being a squad player to potentially solving one of Barça’s biggest tactical headaches.

Credit to Flick

Although the club hasn’t made a final decision yet, much will depend on Garcia’s consistency in the final stretch of the season.

Flick wants to see how he continues to adapt, but for now, Garcia is being treated as a serious option at right-back. If his current form holds, the club could scrap plans to sign a new right-back this summer and instead invest resources elsewhere.

Barcelona are also taking steps to ensure Garcia’s future is secured. The defender’s contract runs until June 2026, but with the club’s strict policy of not allowing players to enter the final year of their contracts without clarity, talks are expected to begin soon.

Flick considers Garcia an important part of his project, and a renewal could be on the horizon.