Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reportedly keeping a watchful eye on the situation of Barcelona centre-back Eric Garcia.
The compatriots worked with one another during their time together at Manchester City, which ended when Arteta took the reins at Arsenal towards the end of 2019.
Garcia remained under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium until the end of the 2020-21 season, ultimately running down his contract and returning to Barcelona on a free transfer.
While initially proving to be an important player for La Blaugrana, the signings of Andreas Christensen and Jules Kounde have since restricted Garcia's opportunities for regular starts in a Blaugrana shirt.
The La Liga leaders are also said to have reached a verbal agreement to sign Athletic Bilbao's Inigo Martinez, which would push the 22-year-old further down the pecking order at Camp Nou.
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Barcelona are expected to sanction a plethora of exits to trim their wage bill ahead of the 2023-24 season, and Garcia could be one of several names on the chopping block.
According to reports in Spain, the arrival of Martinez could tempt Garcia into a summer exit, and Arsenal are prepared to try again for his signature.
The report states that the Gunners wanted to bring the Spain international back to the Premier League in January, but he was not willing to discuss a mid-season exit from Barcelona.
However, if it becomes clear that Garcia will not be able to force his way back into Xavi's XI on a regular basis, he will contemplate his future at Camp Nou during the upcoming window.
Garcia remains contracted to La Blaugrana until 2026, and he has recorded one goal and two assists in 57 matches for the La Liga table-toppers in all competitions since joining on a free transfer.
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All of the centre-back's direct goal contributions have come in the current campaign, but he has started just 11 La Liga matches and a further two in the Champions League.
The 22-year-old has been an unused substitute in Barca's last two La Liga games, but he could be back in the starting lineup against Elche on Saturday due to injuries to Ronald Araujo and Christensen.
Arsenal have settled on a formidable partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes throughout their remarkable 2022-23 season, while Jakub Kiwior arrived from Spezia over the winter.
Rob Holding is also at Arteta's disposal, and the Englishman should have a big part to play between now and May, as Saliba recovers from a back issue sustained before the international break.
Holding deputised well in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Crystal Place before the international break, but he is out of contract in 2024 and could also be facing an uncertain future if he slips back down the centre-back ranks.
Ben Knapton
