Barcelona were keen on acquiring Eric García’s services in the summer, but they failed to meet Manchester City’s demands to conclude the transfer.
The defender is in his final year of contract and despite the current situation, the Citizens haven’t given up hope of retaining him beyond this season.
García still remains a priority target for the La Liga winners, who continue to bet on his signing in 2021.
It’s not clear whether they will try to sign him for cheap in January or wait to take the centre-back on a free transfer next summer.
García has made two league starts for City and that came in their 5-2 defeat against Leicester City and in the Etihad club’s 1-1 draw against West Ham United.
The Spain international was criticised by a section of the English club’s supporters. Mundo Deportivo have picked some of the reaction from City fans and then provide their own views on the 19-year-old.
It’s claimed Pep Guardiola doesn’t give up on his compatriot, even though the Spaniard is subjected to criticism from elsewhere.
The teenager has already informed City that he will not sign an extension, but that has not stopped his manager to count on him and continue to trust the player.
García still retains a desire to play for Barcelona and that has ‘enraged’ some City fans, more so when Guardiola gives him opportunities at City.
Mundo states, ‘Eric Garcia has lost affection in Manchester, discredited for admitting that he wants to go home and play with Messi. It is not a healthy exercise but it is enough to look at the networks to corroborate at first glance that the Catalan does not have the same appeal as before.’
‘The central defender is labeled a hypocrite when not long ago it was a cause for flaunting for its people, who saw a footballer growing up being polished in Manchester. Now he wants to go.’
García is prepared to ‘face the challenge’ of playing for Barcelona.
Mundo end their report by sending a message to City fans by stating, ‘A lot of people don’t understand him. He’s not one of yours anymore’.
