Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has accepted defeat in retaining Eric García beyond this season.
The centre-back has entered his final six months of contract at the Etihad and has decided not to sign an extension as the 20-year-old’s desire is to return to Barcelona.
Ronald Koeman wants the Catalan club to sign the defender in the winter market, but the chances of his arrival have been hampered because the La Liga side are awaiting a new president.
Barca are in the process of electing their new president and the election has been postponed from January to March 7th.
Víctor Font is one of the candidates and earlier today, he was at the club’s headquarters to ‘assess’ the date set for the election.
“Eric Garcia is willing to make an effort and not get paid this season. The steps we have taken allow us to understand that the incorporation of Eric García is possible for now, the club can take it on financially,” he said.
“Ronald Koeman and our sports structure consider his signing essential to aspire to all the titles this year. From here we ask that the Management Board make the decision to sign Eric this week.
“Why don’t we incorporate him? If he is willing not to charge this season. City accepts €3m plus variables. The impact on Barça’s accounts would be 230,000 euros of amortisation. How do we motivate Koeman if we are denying his only request?”
It’ll be interesting to see how Barca’s Management Board, currently guided by Carles Tusquets, will respond to Font’s claims on García.
