Eric Garcia: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta plotting surprise move for defender in January

- Eric Garcia is one of the most wanted players in January

- The 19-year-old will be out of contract with Man City next summer

- Arsenal will contend with Barcelona for the Spaniard's signature in January

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is reportedly plotting to raid Manchester City for Barcelona top target, Eric Garcia, in January.

The 19-year-old was said to have rejected a new deal from the Citizens in a bid to rejoin the Catalans at the end of the season.

Barca made attempts to land the player in the summer but their offers were thrown out by City who thought they could convince the youngster to commit his future to them.

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At the moment, he is number four in the pecking order behind Aymeric Laporte, Ruben Dias and John Stones at the Premier League club.

And Arteta wants to use his relationship with the player while assisting Pep Guardiola to lure the player to the Emirates Stadium.

Talk Sport quoting SunSport reported that the Gunners manager is an admirer of the teenage sensation after their work relationship at City.

However, he might have to wait till the season wraps up before he could possibly land Garcia with unwanted duo Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Shkodran Mustafi still on Arsenal’s books.

Meanwhile, Guardiola admitted that he tried convincing the defender to remain at the club in October but he refused.

“I know he wants to leave, but maybe we can seduce him to extend his contract with us. He is a guy who is so stable in many, many things and I’m so happy [with him].”

Legit.ng earlier reported that Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman wants the board to prioritise signing the duo of Memphis Depay and Eric Garcia in January.

The Catalans have been left without the services of Ansu Fati and Gerard Pique due to long term injuries and the Dutch handler wants them replaced immediately.

Depay played for Koeman during his reign as the Netherlands national team coach while Garcia wants to join the Catalans.

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Source: Legit.ng