'Soap opera' on the way? This is how Eric García's renewal is going

Published New:27/07/2025 - 00:11h

Updated New:29/07/2025 - 05:12h

Eric García's renewal with Barça is complicated. Discover the reasons behind the stagnation and what options the player has. Does he stay or leave?

Eric García is one of the folders that FC Barcelona must resolve in the coming weeks, before the debut in the League against Mallorca on August 16. The defender comes from playing 45 games (19 as a starter) in 25/26 where he scored 5 goals and 3 assists, with a total of 2,104 minutes played.

Flick already convinced him to stay in January, despite Girona's insistence on recovering him, so his role within the squad, in principle, admits no doubts.

However, negotiations with the defender and his agent, Iván de la Peña, are progressing at a slower pace than expected. The '24', like Frenkie de Jong, also ends his contract in June 2026 and the board does not want the season to start without having resolved their respective renewals.

Eric García's exit price: How much is he worth on the market?

The reasons that have delayed the defender's renewal have to do with the resolution of other priority folders. Barça has already closed the signings of Joan García and Marcus Rashford. Now, it is advancing in the signing of the new contracts of De Jong and Jules Koundé, the latter about to close.

Similarly, Eric prefers to define what his role will be in Hansi Flick's rotation plan after the Asian tour. Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí start as starters, with Ronald Araujo as the first alternative to the duo that remained as starters throughout 24/25.

The 24-year-old defender returned to the club in 2021 at 'zero cost' and his termination clause remains at 400 million euros. His salary is around 6 million euros gross per year, but for now the club does not have enough salary margin to update the file of the players who renew, as is the case of Wojciech Szczesny.

If the Martorell native changed his mind and asked to leave, his departure could be negotiated for an amount close to 20 'kilos' or more, since his value in Transfermarkt currently reaches 18 M€. Girona and Como (Italy) are two of the clubs interested in signing him.

Eric García or Christensen: one of the two must leave

Another of the defenders whose future is in the 'air' is Andreas Christensen. The Dane is also entering his last year of contract and everything indicates that he will end up leaving in the final stretch of the summer market.

In any case, whether it is Eric or Christensen, one of the two must leave. Cubarsí, Araujo and Iñigo, on the other hand, already have their place secured. There is only room for one more center back in the squad and the coaching staff seems to have already made a decision, betting on the versatility of the '24'.

The Catalan defender played last season as a defensive pivot and as a right back, completing good performances in Liga and Champions in alternative positions. Will the board resolve the pending folders in time?