Real Madrid’s decision to reject Bournemouth’s bid for Fran García was a ‘calculated risk assessment’ that may not have pleased the player.
Diario Carioca cover the situation today and explain why Bournemouth’s bid for the 26-year-old was rejected.
The Cherries made a bid for García late in the window, looking to reunite him with Andoni Iraola. The pair previously worked together at Rayo Vallecano in 2020, with García first joining on loan in 2020. That lasted a year before he returned permanently in a €2m deal.
The defender went on to make 122 appearances under Iraola before returning to Real Madrid in 2023. The Bournemouth boss remains the manager García has made under any manager in his career to date.
He was seemingly keen on reuniting on the South Coast, with a loan deal on the table. In fact, reports stated that he was so upset that it never happened, he asked to train alone.
Diario Carioca now report Real Madrid made the decision to remind the world that ‘the club always comes before the individual’. The veto on the move to Bournemouth was a ‘calculated risk assessment’ by those charge.
Move to Bournemouth was tempting
Bournemouth target Fran Garcia
Madrid, Spain – 04 23 2025: Fran Garcia seen during LaLiga EA SPORTS game between teams of Getafe CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Coliseum
They consider keeping García a necessary safety net given the physical fragility of other members of the defence. They cared little that Bournemouth were left without a star signing and García without the ‘longed for leading role’.
He was keen on Bournemouth because of Iraola. He offered the player a ‘guarantee of a qualitative leap in his career.’ Real Madrid blocking the transfer interrupted a ‘natural progression’ towards becoming a starter in the Premier League.
The Spanish side now have to manage the emotional impact of their choice. García is seemingly not happy, but Real Madrid weren’t interested and wanted to make it clear that the club always comes before the individual.
Of course, the summer will be different, and Fran García may be waiting for Bournemouth to return.