TBR Football can reveal that Chelsea have again been offered Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo; however, we understand they would rather land his central defensive colleague Eric Garcia.
Chelsea held talks about landing Fermin Lopez in the summer, and TBR Football can now reveal that the Blues also enquired about Marc Casado at the same time.
But it wasn’t just Fermin and Casado that Chelsea asked about; they also checked on the former Manchester City defender Garcia.
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The 24-year-old is also out of contract at the end of this season, which has piqued Chelsea’s interest and led them to ask about the defender.
Eric Garcia ahead of Villarreal vs Barcelona in LaLiga
Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images
Exclusive: Chelsea keen on signing Eric Garcia from Barcelona
Barcelona are deep in talks with Eric Garcia over a new long-term deal, and they are confident he will soon put pen to paper.
But sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, that Chelsea would be open to luring him away should he fail to agree terms. Tottenham remain keen on Garcia after asking about him in January.
Barcelona have been assessing which players they could offload to help ease their precarious financial position.
That has seen a number of their players become the subject of enquiries, hence Chelsea’s summer interest in Fermin and Casado, and now also Garcia, who has a £344m release clause.
Stat Total
Minutes 592
Tackles 2.13
Duels won 2.13
Interceptions 1.22
Eric Garcia’s 2025/26 season La Liga stats per 90 mins (Fotmob)
Barca are open to sales, and Araujo is understood to be one of their more sellable assets that they would be happy to move on.
Chelsea have a long-standing interest in Araujo, along with the likes of Liverpool; however, his English suitors have never been convinced that the Uruguayan wants to leave the Nou Camp, whether they were willing to sell or not.
Chelsea could move for Eric Garcia in January
Given that he will soon be out of contract with the Catalan club, Garcia can start talks with foreign clubs about a potential free transfer in 2026.
Barca could also look to cash in on the Spanish defender in January should contract talks reach an impasse, and the Blues might look to pounce.
Speaking about the situation, Bailey told TBR Football: “We know Chelsea tried to sign Fermin, but now sources confirm they would happily have taken Cascado and Garcia too.
“Interest in Garcia remains, and Barcelona are now working hard on tying him down as his contract expires at the end of the season.
“I am told Garcia is someone Chelsea would want in January, but the chances are he will have signed a new deal.
“They have been offered Araujo, and in theory, they do have an interest, but they are yet to be convinced he wants to leave Barcelona, so I do not believe they are pushing too hard on that.
“Should Araujo make it clear he would move, then things could very well change, but as it stands, he really isn’t keen on leaving.”