Garay To Barca

[Pat Murphy]

Barcelona Seal Garay Deal

Barcelona have beaten Real Madrid and Juventus to the signing of Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander after agreeing a deal with the Cantabrian club for his signature, according to a report.

The Blaugrana struck an agreement this week after intense negotiations that have been going on behind the scenes for several weeks between the two sides.

Despite having a buy-out clause of €20m, Barça have agreed to pay one installment of €4.75m now, the same amount in the summer and a third lot in December.

Marca believe that the €14.25m deal was struck after Racing began to look around for potential buyers in the January transfer window for the highly-rated central defender.

Frank Rijkaard already has four central defenders at his disposal, but it is believed that one if not more could leave at the end of the current season with Lilian Thuram the first to go.

Garay has also attracted interest from the Premier League with Liverpool's and Tottenham's Spanish coaches said to be well aware of his talent.

The 21-year-old defender has impressed during his time with Racing after he moved to the club from Newell's in 2005 and last season won his first international call-up to the Argentina squad.

Goal.com - Barcelona - Barcelona Seal Garay Deal

[Pat Murphy]

Also.....


"Me sorprendería que Garay se fuera a otro equipo que no fuera el Barça" | SPORT | Barça

Racing President admits the talks with Barcelona and says a few details need to be ironed out but he can't see Garay signing for any other club than Barca.


Garay admite los contactos para llegar al Camp Nou | SPORT | Barça

Garay admits he knows about the Barca deal but promises to concentrate on Racing until July.


Thuram's contract expires at the end of the season so it looks like Garay is a Thuram replacement. Thuram gets quite a lot of games and Garay will probably get more. Garay is only 21 years old, he scored 9 goals for Racing last season as he's a dead ball expert and Barca will finally have a lanky defender as he's 189cm.

Barca sort of still need a Zambrotta and Deco replacement now.

[Sven]

Great buy, I'm big fan of him, he was my 3rd fav defender last year after Alexis and Ramos.

[lionel]

excellent. I'm very happy and excited!

we might also let marquez leave in the summer...