Eric Garcia 'signs five-year deal with Barcelona'

Manchester City defender Eric Garcia is reportedly poised to join Barcelona on a five-year contract this summer.

The centre-back's existing contract at City expires next month, and Pep Guardiola confirmed earlier in the season that he opted against renewing his deal.

Garcia has since been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, who came close to signing him in the last knockings of the January transfer window before a deal fell through.

Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Garcia has signed a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona until the summer of 2026, and the 20-year-old only had eyes on a return to Catalonia.

Romano adds that president Joan Laporta has given the green light for the defender to arrive as a free agent, and he will officially be unveiled as a Barcelona player at the end of the season.

Garcia rose through the ranks at the La Masia academy before signing for Man City in 2017, and he has gone on to make 33 appearances for Guardiola's side in all competitions.