Eric Garcia: Manchester City youngster rejects new contract amid Barcelona transfer interest

The 19-year-old – who joined City from Barcelona’s academy in 2017 – has one year remaining on his current deal

Eric Garcia has told Manchester City that he does not want to extend his contract, with Barcelona hoping to sign the young centre-back.

The 19-year-old – who joined City from Barcelona’s academy in 2017 – has one year remaining on his current deal at the Etihad and could leave on a free transfer at the end of next season.

Ahead of City's Champions League last-16 decider against Real Madrid on Friday night, Pep Guardiola confirmed that Garcia had rejected City's attempts to prolong his stay in Manchester.

“[Garcia] announced to us that he doesn’t want to extend his contract with Manchester City,” the City manager said.

“He has one more year and after that, he doesn’t want to extend. We want it but he doesn’t want to extend it, so I imagine he wants to play in other places.”

Garcia's desire to leave will come as a significant blow to Guardiola, who is rebuilding his defence following City's failure to challenge Liverpool in the Premier League title race.

Nathan Ake completed his £41m signing from Bournemouth on Wednesday with the intention of competing alongside Garcia, Aymeric Laporte and another new addition.

However, Garcia's decision may force City into a sale this summer in order to avoid losing him for nothing next year.

City may then be forced to enter the market for a third new signing at centre-half. Guardiola could instead hand a reprieve to either John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi, who have both been out-of-favour this season.