An unlikely return to Barcelona could be on the cards for Al Wehda centre-back Alberto Botia, according to reports.

Botia, 31, has netted three times in 50 Saudi Professional League appearances at Al Hilal and the aforementioned Jeddah-outfit since June 2018’s departure from Greece’s Olympiacos. The formative years of his career, however, were spent with the Camp Nou side, for whom he made a solitary La Liga run-out during 2008/09 before stints at Sporting Gijon, Sevilla and Elche.

Mundo Deportivo stated the ex-Spain Under-21 international could become a permanent fixture again because their pursuit of Manchester City’s Eric Garcia – another La Masia graduate – has hit problems about a €30 million valuation. The Catalan publication further stated that a move for a La Liga-based option, such as Valencia’s Ezequiel Garay or Atletico Madrid’s Mario Hermoso, is most likely.

Botia played a crucial role in Wehda’s fourth-placed finish in 2019/20. This will be enough to earn a debut AFC Champions League-campaign for 2021, unless promoted Abha emerge from next month’s King’s Cup semi-finals and pull off an improbable win.