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Another twist in the Eric Garcia saga. Now that deadline has passed by, Garcia is reported to be angered at the handling of the situation by Manchester City.
#ManCity’s attitude towards negotiations with Barcelona has generated ‘anger’ in Eric Garcia and those close to him. Barca raised their offer to €18M, but City stood at €20M, despite the risk of losing Garcia for free or for much less in January.
— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 6, 2020
[@ffpolo/@RogerTorello]
Eric Garcia did not understand #ManCity’s refusal to accept Barcelona’s offer, especially after informing the club that he was not going to renew and that he wanted to return home - even more so as City already have four centre-backs in their squad.
— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) October 6, 2020
[@ffpolo/@RogerTorello]
Listen, I get it, but City were well withing their right not to sell. Barcelona is accustomed to bullying clubs on fees and especially when its one of their own. The Evening News reported that City’s “stance on Eric Garcia is that they had already reached the lowest price [£20M] they were willing to accept. City weighed the benefit of cash against having Garcia in their squad - and opted for the latter.”
Combine that with a rocky relationship between City’s board and Barcelona’s and you get an unwillingness to negotiate.
Garcia will get his wish and leave in the Summer and City will get one more useful season out of him.