Club set to approve signing from Man City next week following manager’s request

On Wednesday, we covered the story brought by newspaper Sport in which they featured the opinion of candidates to Barcelona’s presidency regarding the signing of Eric Garcia.

As the defender’s contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the season, there’s been a long discussion on whether the Catalan side should buy him now or wait to get him as a free agent in the summer.

Wednesday saw a meeting at the club between Carles Tusquets, president of the management, and candidates Joan Laporta, Victor Font and Toni Freixa. They were joined by coach Ronald Koeman.

Several topics on the club’s future were discussed, and one of them was the arrival of Eric Garcia, whose signing was requested by the Dutch boss.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, they all agreed to leave the move for the summer window, and the final decision will be taken in the next week.

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Mundo Deportivo brings the quotes from each candidate which explains the decision not to buy the player from Manchester City this month.

Meanwhile, Victor Fonte said he was in favour of insisting on a final try to get Garcia in January: “The Management Board wants to close the signing so that at the end of the season he comes. If the operation is done, I’ve asked for a last attempt in case with little money we can meet the coach’s needs, although it’s almost impossible.”

But Juan Laporta is another one who wants to postpone the arrival: “There’s been talk of the possibility of signing Eric now paying money. It’s is not viable and we know that City want money. I’m of the position that if he finishes a contract and is interested, he’s signed. If he wants to come and continues to show it, well, we’ll look at it. The option to tie him now for the summer will be decided by the Management Board.”

He also talked about Ronald Koeman: “He’s been impeccable, elegant, understanding the financial situation of the club. He loves the player but despite the fact that he loves him, he’s aware that we cannot pay this money or any of them because the club’s treasury is very affected.”