Eric Garcia ‘will reject all attempts from Man City to convince him to stay’ amid Barcelona interest

Eric Garcia ‘will reject all attempts from Manchester City to convince him to stay’ at the club and ‘has his heart set on a return to Barcelona’

  • Manchester City’s Eric Garcia wants to leave the club at the end of his deal 
  • The Spanish defender’s contract expires next summer when he can go for free 
  • Reports claim the teenage defender will reject all attempts by City to stay on
  • Garcia wants to return to Barcelona where he began his career at youth level 

Eric Garcia will continue to reject Manchester City’s plans to convince him into signing a new deal at the club as he pursues a Barcelona move, according to reports. 

City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed earlier this year that the Spanish defender does not want to extend his current contract in Manchester, which expires next summer. 

Spanish side Barcelona were keen on Garcia during the summer transfer window and bid £13.6million for him, but a move for the teenager failed to materialise, with City reportedly looking for more than £30million.

Eric Garcia will continue to reject attempts by Manchester City to sign a new deal, say reports

The defender's contract expires next summer despite being a key part of City's defence

The defender’s contract expires next summer despite being a key part of City’s defence

And according to The Sun, Garcia still has a return to Barcelona on his mind and will reject all attempts by Guardiola and the City hierarchy to sign a new deal.

That would allow the Spanish international defender to leave the Etihad Stadium on a free contract next summer despite being one of City’s key men this season.

Speaking in September, Garcia confirmed that he has no desire to remain at Manchester City but will still give a total commitment to Guardiola’s side this term.

Garcia wants to move back to Barcelona where he began his career at youth level (above)

Garcia wants to move back to Barcelona where he began his career at youth level (above)

The defender said: ‘It is true, I have told the club I do not intend to extend my contract beyond 2021. I am focused on next season with City.’ 

Speaking about Garcia’s contract situation earlier this year, Guardiola said: ‘We want it (a renewal) but he doesn’t want to extend it, so I imagine he wants to play in another place.’ 

Garcia came through the Barcelona academy as a youngster but opted to move to Manchester City in 2017 despite the LaLiga club rating him highly at the time. 

Garcia  is set to turn down all approaches by Pep Guardiola to extend his City contract

Garcia  is set to turn down all approaches by Pep Guardiola to extend his City contract

Since then, the 19-year-old has played 27 times for the Citizens in all competitions, including four times this term.

Garcia has been at the heart of City’s defence for both of their matches this week – a victory over FC Porto in the Champions League and the disappointing draw to West Ham on Saturday. 

His form for City in 2020 earned him a first call-up to the Spanish national team in August, and has since played twice for Luis Enrique’s side ahead of next summer’s European Championships. 

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