Pep Guardiola Resigned To Losing Eric Garcia To Barcelona
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given up hope of trying to convince Eric Garcia to stay at the club, with Barcelona favorites to sign the young centre back.
Garcia has just six months left on his contract at the Etihad Stadium and could join Barcelona for a nominal fee in the final days of the January transfer window or leave for free at the end of the season.
The 20-year-old Spanish international came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy before joining Manchester City in the summer of 2017.
City were keen to extend Garcia’s stay at the club last year but he rejected the offer of a new contract.
Injuries and a positive coronavirus test has restricted Garcia to just eight appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season but he was back in action against Cheltenham in the FA Cup on Saturday, lasting the entire game.
"I’m pretty sure he’s going to leave at the end of the season," Guardiola told reporters when asked about Garcia’s contract situation.
"And [whether he leaves] now in this transfer window will depend on the clubs. We’ll see until the end of the transfer window."
Manchester City will face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Tuesday and will meet Swansea City in the fifth round of the FA Cup next month.
