Pep Guardiola admits Barcelona target Eric Garcia could leave this month amid speculation over £8.9m transfer move

PEP GUARDIOLA admits Eric Garcia could leave Manchester City for Barcelona this month.

The defender, 20, is out of contract in June and has been linked with a return to the club he left for the Etihad in 2017.

Garcia is now free to talk with other clubs after entering the final six months of his deal and rejecting an extension last summer.

And when quizzed on whether the Spaniard will head through the exit door in the coming weeks, the Cityzens boss revealed he was not sure what the future holds.

Guardiola said: “I hope not, but maybe someone from Barcelona knows more than me.

“I don't know what's going to happen, but maybe it's going to happen.”

The youngster is one of Barcelona’s top three transfer targets.

Ronald Koeman also wants to bring in Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Lyon’s ex-Manchester United forward Memphis Depay.

Speculation has mounted that they could try to push through a move for Garcia during this transfer window.

And reports claimed this week that they were preparing a £8.9m bid to try and tempt City into business.

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Garcia is now back training with his team-mates following a spell in isolation with coronavirus.

And he could line-up for Guardiola when City host Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Fellow defenders Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake are both ruled out through injury while Sergio Aguero is isolating after coming into contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

Guardiola added: “I think Eric Garcia will (be) back. Nathan and Ayme are still not fit, Sergio I don't think so. The rest I think are okay.”

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