Pep Guardiola has admitted that Eric Garcia is on his way to Barcelona in the summer.
The youngster’s contract is set to expire and Barcelona have made no secret of their desire to sign him for some time now.
Guardiola revealed that he has felt a degree of guilt for not being able to play him much this campaign after shining for Manchester City last season.
“Eric Garcia is like a son. He was a guy last season that after lockdown was our best central defender. He never made a mistake and played in the quarter-final of the Champions League,” Guardiola said at his press conference.
“He’s going to play in Barcelona and he is not an average player. He is a top player. He was not selected in the last two games and it broke my heart.
“That is why it is difficult for all the managers when you have a squad. You cannot imagine what it means.”
Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman urged the club to sign him in January, but his request was rejected due to the Catalans’ financial restraints.