There is little doubt that there will be a number of sales at Barcelona this summer, and amid talk that all of their loan players were on the exit ramp, Xavi Hernandez has declared that Eric Garcia will return to the Blaugrana.
Garcia left on the final day of the transfer deadline day, as Barcelona tried to clear space in their salary limit to register Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix. The 23-year-old defender is perhaps having his most consistent season, and told the press this week that he would evaluate things with Barcelona on his return this summer.
Xavi was clear that he would be coming back this year though.
“Yes. I already had room [in the squad for him] this year. It was not our intention for him to leave but he left because of the fairplay issue. I already explained it. But the idea is that he comes back.”
Girona had been linked with a €15-20m move for Garcia this summer, to make him their defensive leader at the back. Yet Michel Sanchez equally seemed under the impression he would not be with them next year though, saying “I’m going to enjoy him these five matchdays, he’s not ours.”
Meanwhile there has been plenty of talk this week about Vitor Roque potentially exiting the club on loan, but Xavi sidestepped the question for a second time this week, and said he could be available at Montilivi, after missing training with illness.
“What can happen is that he recovers tomorrow and is available. And, looking ahead, we’ll see what happens when the season is over. We’ll talk when the season is over.”
Xavi: "Lewandowski only has to worry if the criticism comes from the coach or staff, not from outsiders. I think he knows that. We really value his work. As for the future, we will talk about it at the end of the season."
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 3, 2024
Xavi was also asked whether beating Girona and more pertinently Michel Sanchez, was a personal challenge for him, and did declare that his team were out for revenge.
“There is the challenge of revenge from the first game. I think we had to get more out of that game. But we didn’t defend our area well and they were very effective. The revenge is as a team, not on a personal level. Girona has sky-high confidence and that, confidence, changes in the world of sport. It is not a personal challenge, but a football revenge.”
Girona can leapfrog Barcelona, who are two points ahead of them in the table, with a win at Montilivi. Barcelona have never lost away to Girona, or even conceded a goal, but know that anything but a win coupled with a Real Madrid win will mean conceding the Liga title on Saturday.
