Eric Garcia to become Barcelona’s first summer signing

was speculated to join

soon and now it has been confirmed by

Goal

that the

’s defender will join the Blaugrana after the Champions League final between Man City and

.

The Spaniard is the product of La Masia Football Academy, but has been playing for City since 2017. Garcia was close to returning to Barca in January 2021, but eventually the club's officials preferred to wait until the end of the season to sign the 20-year-old as a free agent.

Garcia decided to accept Barcelona's offer even after Barca withdrew from the initial offer and reduced the pre-agreed salary.

The Citizens boss

Pep Guardiola

also confirmed Garcia’s desire and determination to return to Camp Nou, despite his efforts to keep the talented defender in the squad.

"I would love to have 15 Eric Garcias for the way he conducts his behavior,"

Guardiola said last month at a press conference.

"He will go in an incredible team and when the people say they are unsatisfied if I don't play, I think of Eric.

"Most of the time he's not on the bench because he's going to move to Barcelona, I hope so. It's tough, but it is what it is."

Garcia was also recently called up to Spain by Luis Enrique and played for the team in the World Cup qualifiers.

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