Transfer Centre

Man City manager Pep Guardiola confirms Eric Garcia move to Barcelona

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 01 March 2021

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reveals that defender Eric Garcia is leaving for Barcelona when his contract expires in the summer.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Eric Garcia will be heading to Barcelona at the end of the current campaign.

Garcia refused City's offer of a new deal last year and was expected to move to Catalonia in the January transfer window, but an agreement over a fee could not be reached.

However, with the 20-year-old running down the final few months of his deal at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola has revealed that Garcia - who is "like a son" to him - is indeed heading back to where he started his career.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, the former Blaugrana boss said: "Eric Garcia is like a son. He was a guy last season that after lockdown was our best central defender.

"He never made a mistake and played in the quarter-final of the Champions League. He's going to play in Barcelona and he is not an average player.

"He is a top player. He was not selected in the last two games and it broke my heart. That is why it is difficult for all the managers when you have a squad. You cannot imagine what it means."

Garcia progressed through the youth ranks at Barcelona before moving to Manchester City in 2017, where he has made 32 appearances in all competitions, but the defender has started just two Premier League games this term.