DBasia.news – Barcelona’s mainstay defender, Gerard Pique has just suffered a severe injury. This made Barca cancel the recruitment of Lyon striker Memphis Depay and prefer Manchester City defender Eric Garcia.
Pique is expected to miss several months following injury to the medial lateral ligament and partial injury to the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Previously, Barcelona put Depay at the top of their shopping book. Moreover, Depay has publicly stated his desire to move to Barcelona. But Pique’s injury made Barca change course.
“Who doesn’t want to play there? They are one of the best teams in the world. Everyone wants to play there, but I don’t think about it,” Depay said as quoted by Goal.
“I don’t know about Barca. The transfer market is not open yet. I didn’t think about that.”
Barca were forced to shift their focus to repatriate Eric Garcia, who graduated from their academy, in the January transfer market.
The Blaugrana have been monitoring Garcia for some time, having failed to get him earlier this year because they were unable to keep up with City’s asking price.
Money becomes a stumbling block for Barca. Their finances are tight, their materials are planning to cut wages, and need to sell before making a purchase.
City had rejected an offer of 18 million euros from Barca for Garcia in the summer.
Garcia can actually negotiate on a free transfer, considering his contract will expire in the summer, but Pique’s injury makes Barca want to take him in the January transfer window.