Eric Garcia has agreed to join Barcelona at the end of the season as a free agent, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Eric Garcia Agrees Barcelona Move
Garcia Returns Home in Free Transfer
Garcia has reportedly agreed a deal to return to the club he left as a teenager in 2017. The central defender is out of contract this summer and has decided to leave when his contract expires.
Having been one of the promising stars at La Masia, Garcia was unable to break through to Barcelona’s senior team and left for Manchester City to develop under Pep Guardiola.
After a breakthrough season in 2019/20, Garcia has been limited to just two Premier League appearances this season, with none since October. He has struggled to break the partnership of the resurgent John Stones and summer signing Ruben Dias this season.
The 20-year-old has not been able to agree on a contract extension with City and has followed in the steps of Jadon Sancho by leaving on a free transfer against the wishes of Guardiola in search of more first-team action.
Competition at Barcelona
The centre-back is returning to the club where he began his career which is currently in financial turmoil.
He will face stiff competition from the likes of Samuel Umtiti, Clement Lenglet, and Gerrard Pique to play regularly for the club he began his career at unless a summer exodus of defenders happens at the club.
It is clear, either way, that Garcia will play a key role in the rebuilding job needed at Barcelona. He will arrive with an ageing squad for company and a club with financial struggles. Yet, as reported, the chance to return home was something the Spainaird could simply not turn down, having failed to make the cut previously. The move is a step in the right direction for both Barcelona and Garcia.
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