BARCELONA have resumed talks with Manchester City over the potential signing of Eric Garcia – and hope to complete deal this week.
Pep Guardiola and Co have been keen to tie down the young centre back to a new improved deal with his existing one due to expire next summer.
But Garcia, 19, appears to have his heart set on a move, with Barca – set for a major transfer overhaul this summer – relaunching discussions.
Barcelona and Man City had agreed to shelve talks over Garcia’s move while the Premier League side were still in the Champions League.
After their shock defeat to Lyon in the quarter-finals, the LaLiga giants are now free to kick off talks, claim AS.
Barcelona are in the midst of a massive overhaul, on and off the pitch.
Quique Setien was sacked as manager, with Ronald Koeman replacing him.
And director Eric Abidal was also given the boot.
ALL CHANGE
Abidal’s departure won’t scupper Barcelona’s hopes of signing Garcia though, with Ramon Planes handling discussions.
Man City don’t want to sell Garcia, despite the player’s desire to return “home”.
And they are holding out of £20million for the centre-back.
Barcelona are willing to involve players in a swap deal – with all-but seven stars up for sale this summer.
Guardiola recently admitted he knows Garcia is a goner.
Asked about Garcia’s future, Pep said: “He announced to us that he doesn’t want to extend his contract with Manchester City.
“He has one more year and after that…
“We want it but he doesn’t want to extend it – so I imagine he wants to play in another place.”
