Eric Garcia did everything he could to push through Barça deal

It was an open secret. Eric Garcia wanted to return to FC Barcelona. The Manchester City defender told Pep Guardiola as much in August, the week the Premier League side were due to face Real Madrid in the Champions League. The Catalan wanted to return home. Barça also wanted him back and tried until the last minute of the transfer window but City didn't drop their asking price. 

On July 3, SPORT revealed that Barcelona and City were negotiating a deal for Eric Garcia. Barça consider him the natural heir to Gerard Pique and didn't want to wait a year, when he will be free as his contract expires. They wanted him now. They started talks, therefore, with his agents and City. Garcia was clear. He wanted to come back. He had left three years ago because of the lack of faith showed by Pep Segura at the time. City also wanted to renew him. Guardiola saw his potential and started giving him chances at the age of 18. However, that didn't change Garcia's opinion. But the days passed and Barça didn't agree a deal. The Covid-19 pandemic, the wage limit problem and Financial Fair Play complicated the deal. 

SPORT have learned that Barça's last offer was 10 million euros plus eight million more in add-ons. Barça felt it was fair considering his contract status. City didn't agree. They wanted at least 20 million euros. Barça preferred to wait knowing that he will be free in less that a year. 

Garcia, meanwhile, experienced deadline day from his room at the hotel at Las Rozas where he's currently with the Spain camp. As RAC1 revealed, the centre-back even called City asking them to let him go. But they didn't and he's resigned to seeing out the season in Manchester, although with the idea of joining Barça for free when his deal runs out. Garcia is not disappointed with Barça as he knows the limitations this market brought. What's more, they worked until the last minute to sign him.