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Barcelona want to sign Manchester City’s Eric García in the last week of the window and Rúben Dias’ arrival at Etihad comes as welcome news for them.

Sport are of the belief the 19-year-old’s ‘path is cleared’ to join the Catalan club after the signing of the Portugal international.

However, the demands for the Spaniard have become a major obstacle for the Blaugrana.  

The La Liga giants made an initial proposal of €10m, and the English side found this offer ‘insufficient’.

Pep Guardiola’s side value their player around €40m, and, according to the report, Ronald Koeman’s side are ‘working on an intermediate figure’ to sign the defender. What that figure would be isn’t mentioned in the report. 

Barca are also closing in on signing Ajax’s Sergiño Dest, and once that’s done, Sport adds ‘time will come for FC Barcelona to reactivate the Eric García path’.

Mundo Deportivo also states ‘there will be a new offer to City for Eric García’ in the final days of the transfer window. At the moment, the two clubs are still far apart with their valuations. 

Barca believe the defender’s price shouldn’t exceed €12m because of the duration left on his current deal. City, however, are still asking for €30m and don’t plan on lowering their demands. 

Ronald Koeman currently has Clément Lenglet, Gerard Piqué, Ronald Araujo, Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo as the centre-backs at his disposal. Barca are trying to sell Todibo for €20m. 

Should the Frenchman end up leaving on a permanent transfer, Mundo adds the Spanish side could use the funds to sign García, provided City ‘significantly lower’ their demands.

The Camp Nou side are calm with the whole situation because if they fail to sign García, they plan on taking him on a free transfer next summer.