When Ronald Koeman accepted the Barcelona job and replaced Quique Setien, the Dutch manager made a number of transfer requests. However, due to their huge financial crisis, the club was unable to provide Koeman with most of his requests. In fact, the former Everton manager only got one player he asked for and now it seems like he might have to wait even more to get his players.
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One of the players the Dutch manager repeatedly asked for was Eric Garcia. The 20-year-old Spanish centre-back impressed Koeman and the Catalan coach needed someone young and talented to replace the aging Gerard Pique. The Manchester City player’s contract was running out and the player himself wanted to return back to his boyhood club as he was feeling homesick in England.
Still, Pep Guardiola wanted to keep hold of the player as he saw the potential of the youngster. He tried to persuade him into a new contract with the light blues but Garcia’s heart was set. The centre-back decided to wait until January till Barcelona once again bid for him. The transfer, however, has been further postponed till the end of the season as the Catalan board realized that they were in no position to bring in new players.
Presidential hopeful hails the Barcelona coach as understanding
Presidential candidate, Joan Laporta said in an interview with Tot Gira,
"“Koeman was impeccable when he was with us. He understood the reasoning behind not signing Eric Garcia. It was for sporting and financial consistency, and because the statutes says it’s not possible (for the club to make signings without a president in place).”Source Goal"
Thus it seems like Koeman understands that the club cannot make any signings at the moment and is ready to wait till the end of the season. In the meantime, however, the manager can continue to depend on the youngsters Ronald Araujo and Oscar Mingueza. The two young centre-backs have really stepped up in the absence of veteran, Pique, and Araujo especially has become a constant starter for Koeman.