FC Barcelona are set to revive their summer transfer pursuit of Manchester City defender Eric Garcia, according to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness.
Garcia had been labelled as one of Barcelona’s ‘priority’ signings earlier in the window, with the Catalan outfit keen to invest in their future amid on-going doubts at the Camp Nou over the long-term importance of Samuel Umtiti and Gerard Pique.
Early discussions between the two clubs over Garcia presented an immediate hurdle for the La Liga runners-up to overcome, with City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain requesting no less than €30million (£27.1m) for the centre-back Barca hoped to sign for €15m (£13.5m).
Mundo Deportivo now support claims that multiple discussions have been underway between the two sides this summer, with one held primarily to debate Garcia’s availability.
The Spanish publication go on to add that Garcia may have already played his final game for the Sky Blues, having lined up in Pep Guardiola’s five-man backline for the shock 3-1 defeat to Olympique Lyonnais in the Champions League Quarter-Final, as negotiations with Barcelona were paused whilst the two sides remained in the UEFA competition.
City’s valuation has been questioned, though, with it believed we are now only demanding €20m (£18.1m) to allow the Spain U21 international to return to his former side after he snubbed the chance to extend his contract at the Etihad Stadium beyond 2021.
But Barcelona’s valuation remains some way apart from City’s asking price and are willing to hold out to see if we ‘considerably’ lower our demands. Or if not, wait until Garcia becomes a free agent next year.
The Catalan side’s willingness to wait until Garcia is a free agent is seen in the Spanish media as a ploy to getting City to cash-in now, likely at an even lower figure than our alleged €20m asking price.
What would you deem an acceptable fee for Garcia?
Under €15m
€15-30m
Over €30m
If Garcia has his heart set on a return to the Camp Nou to replace Barcelona icon Pique, Txiki may have little choice but to warm to the La Liga outfit’s lowball offers.
We would be better off accepting as reasonable a fee as possible now than losing the player for nothing in less than 12-months’ time, when his stock may be at an even greater level should Guardiola persist with the 19-year-old in his plans.
Garcia has already earned a Transfermarkt valuation of £14.4m after 23 senior appearances and has seen his importance to Guardiola only rise and rise in 2020.