Anderlecht Pursues Santi Garcia After Saliba Departure
Anderlecht did not wait long to redraw their midfield plans. Nathan Saliba’s move to Villarreal left a clear gap in the heart of Brian Riemer’s side, and the Belgian club have quickly fixed their gaze on Portugal.
According to HLN, Anderlecht are exploring a deal for Santi Garcia, the 24-year-old midfielder who has quietly become one of the most effective performers in the Primeira Liga with Gil Vicente.
From Getafe Cast-Off to Gil Vicente Centrepiece
Garcia’s route to this point has been anything but straightforward. Formed at Getafe, he trained with the first team but saw the door to La Liga football barely open: just a single senior appearance before the club moved on without him.
In 2024 he walked away from Spanish football entirely, joining Gil Vicente on a free transfer. It looked like a modest move at the time. It no longer does.
Garcia immediately nailed down a place in the side, playing 30 games in his debut campaign. Four goals, two assists, and a growing influence in possession marked him out as more than a squad filler. He became a reference point.
Last season he went up a level. Six goals, three assists, and 34 appearances turned a solid signing into a breakout story. For a club of Gil Vicente’s size, that kind of production from midfield is gold.
Gil Vicente Eye Record Sale
That rise has a price. Gil Vicente initially set the bar high, with reports of a fee in excess of €10m. The stance has softened slightly, with the Portuguese club now said to be open to selling for a little less, but the ambition remains the same: they want Garcia to become the most expensive outgoing transfer in their history.
For Anderlecht, that means a clear decision. Pay up for a midfielder entering his prime, one who has already shown he can carry responsibility week after week, or look elsewhere to replace Saliba.
The Belgian giants have rarely shied away from bold moves in the market. Now they must decide whether Santi Garcia is the next piece worth betting big on.
