ERIC GARCIA, A MANCHESTER CITY DEFENDER, HAS SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH BARCELONA.

With an official statement planned in the coming weeks, the Spaniard will become the Blaugrana’s first summer signing.

Eric Garcia, a defender for Manchester City, has agreed to join Barcelona.

Garcia will join Barcelona on a free transfer after his City deal ends at the end of the month.

The 20-year-old progressed through the La Masia youth system before transferring to Manchester in 2017, but he will return to the Catalan club for the 2021-22 seasons.

Garcia is expected to join Barcelona as the club’s first summer signing.

Garcia’s transfer to Barcelona will be finalised before this summer’s European Championship, in which he will lead Spain.

Owing to the club’s dire financial position as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the centre-back has agreed to a salary that is 40% cheaper than the club’s initial contract offer from January.

Garcia has always aspired to play for Barcelona at the highest level and told City officials at the start of the year that he did not want to sign a new contract at Etihad Stadium after learning of their interest in his services.

SO, WHAT DID GUARDIOLA HAVE TO SAY ABOUT GARCIA?

During a press conference last month, City manager Pep Guardiola announced Garcia’s transfer to Camp Nou, after leaving the Spaniard out of his squad for the bulk of the 2020-21 season.

“WITH THE WAY HE HANDLES HIS ACTIONS, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE 15 ERIC GARCIAS,”

Guardiola said.

“I THINK OF ERIC WHEN PEOPLE SAY THEY’RE DISAPPOINTED IF I DON’T PLAY BECAUSE HE’LL BE IN AN AMAZING BAND.”

“MOST OF THE TIME, HE’S NOT ON THE BENCH, AND, HOPEFULLY, HE’LL RETURN TO BARCELONA.” IT’S DIFFICULT, BUT THAT’S LIFE.”

GARCIA’S OVERALL CITY RECORD

Garcia hasn’t played for City since a 3-0 win at Fulham on March 13, with Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte taking his place in Guardiola’s starting lineup.