Eric García has earned himself the title of Hansi Flick‘s wild card, becoming the German coach’s preferred replacement. His versatility allows Barça to field him as a pivot, center back or, in recent games and with Jules Koundé out, as a right back.
The player could have left in January and has suitors for the summer transfer window, but Flick is clear that he wants him. He is a player whose contract expires in 2026 and who seemed more likely to leave than stay, but the German is clear that he wants him to renew. He already asked him in January, closing the door on a loan move – Girona pushed hard – and has now demanded that the sporting director tie him down for the long term.
The German coach’s insistence has paid off, as Barça has decided to follow his advice and has already informed the Catalan player of its intention to extend his contract. They hope to finalize the deal before June 30.
The situation at Barça has changed radically since last summer. Many players who are now undisputed starters were on the transfer list and even came close to leaving. A clear example of the improvement in performance and situation of players under Hansi Flick is Eric García, whose future was up in the air, but the club decided to keep him, which was a wise move that has now resulted in a contract renewal.
Eric García now faces a key moment in his season as a Barça player. With Jules Koundé out, Hansi Flick is expected to opt for him for the decisive match at San Siro next Tuesday, the 6th, at 9 p.m., and for El Clásico, which could tip the league title in Barça’s favor.
Although everything points to a renewal, the standoff between Flick and Deco seems to be a reality. The sports director is considering selling him to alleviate the club’s financial situation. Barça needs to offload players, and although there are priority candidates, their lack of playing time makes them unattractive and opens the door to the sale of an important player.