Transfer news

Manchester City’s Eric García still on Barcelona’s radar

Eric García captaining Manchester City's youth ranks / ALEX LIVESEY/GETTY IMAGES
Eric García captaining Manchester City’s youth ranks / ALEX LIVESEY/GETTY IMAGES

With one week to go of the transfer market, Barcelona remain keen on bringing Manchester City’s Eric García back to the Camp Nou.

Manchester City have recently completed the signing of former Chelsea and Bournemouth defender, Nathan Aké and the now former Benfica defender Ruben Dias. With the signing of the two centre-backs, talks have suggested that Eric García could look towards moving on from the Etihad, only having one year left of his current contract.

García is yet to renew his contract with Manchester City, and with all of Aymeric Laporte, John Stones, Nathan Aké, Ruben Dias and even Fernandinho as available options for Pep Guardiola, García reportedly considers returning to Barcelona, with whom he grew up in the famed La Masía academy.

Barcelona have, according to multiple reports, been after the 19-year-old defender for some time, having even made an offer of around 10 million euros including add-ons, according to ESPN. The offer was, per the same report, promptly rejected, with the English side not wanting to part ways with the talented defender for less than 30 million euros.

Since then, talks have stalled a bit, with Barcelona knowing that García will be available for free next summer, if he retains his position of not renewing with the Citizens. The player is, per the same report, willing to see his contract out with his current club to join Barça on a free in the summer of 2021, with Barcelona’s club president in close contact with García’s father and representative.

The Catalans, however, would prefer for him to join this season, and are, per ESPN, preparing a new offer, with Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo potentially on their way out of the door.

Barcelona recently had their season opener against Villarreal, cruising towards a 4-0 win at the Camp Nou, with both of Ansu Fati, Lionel Messi as well as Villarreal’s Pau López on the scoreline.