Eric Garcia, a 22-year-old central defender, trained yesterday afternoon with Barcelona for the last time at least this season while his agent, Iván de la Peña, negotiated his loan to Girona for one year and without a purchase option. Xavi didn't want the man from Martorell to leave Barça either, but Eric insisted. He was the fifth center back in the squad behind Araújo, Koundé, Christensen, Marcos Alonso and the recently signed Íñigo Martínez, still without a medical discharge and pending registration. They granted it. Barcelona will assume 20% of the player's file.
The next and last movement of the night was the departure of Abde, who signed his transfer to Betis for 7.5 million euros. Barcelona will also take 50 percent of a future sale and reserves a repurchase right. The departure of Abde to Betis was closed with an endorsement from the president. And he cannot understand himself without the presence of Ramon Planes, sports director who is now in Seville and who brought him to Barça in September 2021 from Hércules and with whom he maintains a very good relationship. To sign the Blaugrana club for him, he paid the 2 million euros of his clause on the last day of the market.
As with Eric Garcia, Xavi Hernández was not in favor of Abde leaving Barça. This is how Deco, the sports director, told his agent Javier Garrido in a meeting they held last week. However, Abde was disappointed not to have minutes against Villarreal. The irruption of Lamine Yamal has also made him reflect. In the afternoon he no longer trained with Barcelona. There will be no fear clause for the central defender.
The transfer of Abde and the assignments of Eric Garcia, Lenglet and Ansu fati in addition to the guarantee of 12 million euros from the board have helped to register the two new Barcelona signings. They are the striker João Félix and the right back João Cancelo. The two players went to the sports city this afternoon to undergo a medical check-up and chat with Xavi.
Both arrive on loan until the end of the course, without a purchase option and lowering their file. In addition, before leaving Madrid, João Félix, who did not enter into Simeone's plans and who did not finish convincing Xavi either, extended his contract with Atlético until 2029. Both will be presented this morning before the training session scheduled for 10:30 a.m. . Barcelona also closes the transfer market with Iñaki Peña, Balde and Iñigo Martínez registered as first team players.
