Nottingham Forest saw a bid rejected for Osasuna captain David Garcia yesterday. It would seem as though the Reds are still in the market for another central defender, despite Murillo set to check in from Corinthians.
According to Spanish journalist Aylen Suarez, the Reds made a proposal to land the La Liga defender ahead of the transfer deadline on Friday. However, it fell some way short of their valuation, with the player only likely to leave if they receive an offer that matches his £17.2 million release clause.
Garcia has been with Osasuna for the entirety of his career. He’s very much one of their own and came through the youth ranks with the club based in Pamplona. Furthermore, it’s claimed in the report that he wouldn’t be keen on signing for the Reds this summer.
The 29-year-old is a central defender and a born leader. He has made 277 appearances for the club and it’s perhaps surprising that the player has such a low release clause, given his importance to the Osasuna team.
Every player has a price though and now, Forest must decide whether to go back in for Garcia. Osasuna face a big game this week as they must overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg to try and oust Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa Conference League.
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Garcia has captained Osasuna for some time now and he’s a big player for the club. News of this offer from Forest won’t be welcomed from his current club’s perspective; especially on the eve of such a big night for the La Liga outfit.
Forest have Garcia bid rejected
It’s quite intriguing that Forest are keen to sign yet another centre-back. The club already has Felipe, Moussa Niakhate, Willy Boly, Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna within their ranks. That’s without Murillo being added.
Forest apparently made a bid for Garcia. If the club do want to sign one more, it seems for all the world that the club plans to move at least one of the current crop out before the transfer window closes on Friday.
It’s hard to see Garcia arriving at the club now. Clearly, Forest do like him as a player but ultimately, it looks like a stretch that they will consider forking out £17.2 million for a central defender who is now 29-years-old.