Barcelona Admit Interested in Bringing Eric Garcia from Manchester City

DBasia.news – Barcelona Sports Director, Ramon Planes, admitted that La Blaugrana was indeed interested in bringing Manchester City center-back Eric Garcia to Camp Nou. The profile of the 19-year-old center-back is considered to meet all the criteria with a player the Catalan team is currently needing.

Garcia is a graduate of the Barcelona football academy, La Masia. However, instead of continuing his work at Barcelona, Garcia chose to leave Manchester City in 2017. Now, el Barca is interested in being able to get the Barcelona-born player back.

Planes did not deny that currently, Barcelona is trying to strengthen the defense sector by bringing in new players. With a young age and a La Masia dropout, Garcia is considered to be the right person.

”It is true, we are looking for players who can strengthen the defense sector. Eric Garcia is an extraordinary player who grew up in Barcelona. He still seems to love this club. The club’s big idea is to rebuild this team with the presence of young players to complement the existing senior players. Eric’s profile meets all of these criteria,” said Planes as reported by the Daily Mail, Wednesday (16/9).

However, Planes admits, Barcelona’s opportunity to bring in Garcia really depends on the situation in the player transfer market, especially in Barcelona’s success in releasing players. Before actually making an offer to Manchester City to bring in Garcia, Barcelona reportedly had to first remove a center-back.

The names Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo are predicted to be ready to be released by Barcelona in the transfer market this summer. The two players are reportedly not included in the game scheme that will be carried by coach Ronald Koeman. The proceeds from the sale of the two players can also be used by Barcelona to redeem Garcia.

On the other hand, despite starting to gain the confidence to appear in City’s first team, Garcia had refused a contract extension from the Citizens’ management. Garcia’s contract with City will expire in 2021.

As a result, if Garcia fails later in the summer transfer market, Barcelona will have the opportunity to recruit him in 2021 on a free transfer.