Barcelona were offered a chance to swap €20m-rated defender for former PSG star in the summer | OneFootball

The final few days of the summer transfer window were frantic for FC Barcelona as they explored the possibility of multiple operations, especially after being struck down by injuries.

The Financial Fair Play situation at the club meant that no deals were completed but the Catalans did explore several avenues to try and reinforce the squad.

The injuries in central defence and midfield posed a challenge for the Blaugrana, prompting them to look at options such as Jonathan Tah and a certain Danilo Pereira.

Indeed, the 33-year-old Portuguese veteran, who left PSG for Al-Ittihad earlier this month, was linked heavily with a move to Barcelona.

Jorge Mendes proposed a swap deal

In fact, according to Catalunya Radio, superagent Jorge Mendes proposed a swap deal involving Barcelona defender Eric Garcia and Danilo Pereira late in the summer transfer window.

Danilo, a veteran footballer, is adept at playing as a defensive midfielder and at centre-back. The injuries to Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen had left Barcelona short in those exact positions, giving way to the links with the 33-year-old.

Danilo Pereira was on Barcelona’s radar in the summer. (Photo by GUILLAUME BAPTISTE/AFP via Getty Images)

At the same time, Eric, who can play in the same positions, had been linked with a move to Girona, where he had spent the last season away on loan.

The Catalan club’s director, Quique Carcel, even confirmed recently that they did ask Barcelona about the Spaniard.

It seems that around the same time, Mendes proposed a swap deal in front of Barcelona which would have seen them get their hands on Danilo from PSG with Garcia moving the other way.

However, as has already been reported, manager Hansi Flick vetoed the departure of the former Manchester City ace as he wanted to keep him in the squad due to the versatility he offers.

As such, nothing came of Mendes’ proposal and Danilo moved to Saudi Arabia while Garcia remained at Barcelona.

*Player valuation in title obtained from transfermarkt.com on date of publication.