MANCHESTER CITY starlet Eric Garcia has reportedly signed a pre-contract with Barcelona until 2026.
The 20-year-old centre-back will return to the Blaugrana just four years after departing the Nou Camp to join the Citizens’ academy.
A move back to Spain has been on the cards since last year after Ronald Koeman failed to secure his services.
It has been claimed that Garcia has even agreed to take a pay-cut in order to link up with the LaLiga giants.
Despite being heavily linked with Barcelona, Arsenal and Chelsea were rumoured to be interested in the youngster.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta knows the player well having worked alongside Pep Guardiola at the Etihad, but Garcia has only ever had eyes on returning to Catalonia.
And according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, no other clubs besides Barca have been in talks with the Spain international.
He tweeted: “Eric Garcia has signed his pre-contract until June 2026 with Barcelona since December.
“No other club has been in talks – Eric only wanted to join Barca.
“[Barcelona president Joan] Laporta also approved the deal and it’s going to be announced at the end of the season.”
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Garcia has been limited to just ten appearances in all competitions for City this term after falling down the pecking order.
Ruben Dias, John Stones and Aymeric Laporte are the preferred options, while Nathan Ake has also seen more game time.
Speaking of Garcia after City’s Carabao Cup final victory over Tottenham, Guardiola said: “There are players even who don’t play any matches.
“I think, for example, of Eric Garcia who is one of my favourite players.
“I would love to have 15 Eric Garcia’s for the way he conducts his behaviour. He is always thinking of the team.
“He’s always a good face in the good or bad moments. He helps the manager and the backroom staff all the time.”
Before adding: “He will go in an incredible team and when the people say they are unsatisfied if I don’t play, I think of Eric.
“Most of the time he’s not on the bench because he’s going to move to Barcelona, I hope so. It’s tough, but it is what it is.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
