Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says he expects defender Eric Garcia to leave the club this summer.
The Spaniard does not anticipate there will be any U-turns with regards to Garcia penning a new deal at the Etihad Stadium.
Garcia’s current contract expires in June, and speculation has been heavy for some time that he will be leaving the club.
MEN Sport have reported Barcelona are primed to land the 20-year-old at the end of the season.
Guardiola said of the situation (via Eurosport): “We will see what happens at the end of the transfer window
“I don’t think he will sign a new contract.
“I am pretty sure he is going to leave at the end of the season and now, in this transfer window, it will depend on the (other) clubs.”
£14,000-a-week star Garcia (Spotrac) has found opportunities hard to come by with City following his first-team debut in December 2018.
He’s looked good when called upon by Guardiola, but the summer signings of Nathan Ake and, in particular, Ruben Dias, make regular minutes for him extremely difficult to come by.
The renaissance of John Stones has also made life difficult.
The best thing for all parties
It’s a shame City will be unable to command a transfer fee for Garcia, but with his contract expiring in the summer the club wouldn’t have gotten much for him this month anyway.
He’s given a decent account of himself over the past couple of years, but realistically he isn’t quite at the level to force his way into the starting XI and stay there.
City have some great options at the back now, and there’s young Taylor Harwood-Bellis who can perhaps assume Garcia’s role after he leaves.
