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Barcelona ‘expect to announce a pre-contract deal with Eric Garcia in January’ with the defender’s deal with Man City ending next summer … while Ronald Koeman’s team continues to weigh Memphis Depay’s move
- Reports claim that Barcelona will seek the free signing of Eric García in January
- Manchester City defender’s contract expires in summer 2021
- García -who passed through La Masia- can speak with other clubs from January 1
- Barcelona could also sign for Lyon captain Memphis Depay next month
Cash-strapped Barcelona expect to announce the free summer transfer of Eric Garcia from Manchester City during the January transfer window, according to reports in Spain.
The 19-year-old defender’s contract with City expires on June 30 next year, which means he is eligible to speak with clubs about a pre-contract agreement starting next week.
Garcia has failed to negotiate a new contract with the Premier League club and Pep Guardiola confirmed last season that the teenage defender had no intention of extending his stay at Etihad Stadium.
Barcelona will announce the signing of Eric García’s pre-contract in January, according to reports
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola (above) announced last season that Garcia will leave in 2021
And according to Mundo Deportivo, the Spanish giants want to confirm García’s free signing in early January while also considering sealing another pre-contract agreement with Lyon forward Memphis Depay.
Barcelona were interested in bringing in Depay during the summer transfer window that just ended, but the report claims the Catalans needed to sell a player to comply with LaLiga’s salary restrictions.
Winger Ousmane Dembélé was designated as a possible departure from Camp Nou, but a summer move did not materialize.
Barcelona is struggling financially, having been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and a massive wage bill, not bolstered by fans attending games.
García went through the Barcelona academy (above) before joining Man City in 2017
Barcelona could sign Lyon captain Memphis Depay (above) in January transfer window
Phillipe Coutinho is another player who could be transferred by the Spanish giants while Barcelona would also sanction the transfers of Junior Firpo, Samuel Umtiti and Riqui Puig.
However, Barcelona are still tempted to sign Depay during the January transfer window for a fee of £ 5 million, especially with PSG and Juventus monitoring the Dutchman’s availability.
However, the recent form of striker Martin Braithwaite at Camp Nou means Barcelona can wait until summer before bringing Depay in for free.
Braithwaite scored in three consecutive games in late November and early December, against Dynamo Kiev, Osasuna and Ferencvaros, while also finding the net in the Catalans’ last league game against Valladolid.
The rise of Martin Braithwaite (left) means Depay’s signing can wait until the summer
Braithwaite has five goals in 15 games in all competitions for Ronald Koeman’s team this season, while Depay has eight goals in 17 games for French league leaders Lyon.
Garcia, meanwhile, has played just three Premier League games for City this term and has been named largely as a substitute by manager Guardiola.
The Spanish defender, who passed through the Barça youth squad and arrived at City from the Catalans in 2017, has been identified as Gerard Piqué’s long-term successor at the Camp Nou.
