Barcelona ‘will try again in bid to to re-sign Man City defender Eric Garcia before window shuts’

Barcelona are set to return to Manchester City with another formal offer for centre back Eric Garcia as the Nou Camp giants try one last time to secure a deal for their former player.

Garcia has confirmed his intention not to stay at City longer than his current deal, which is set to expire at the end of the season.

Barcelona are eyeing a cut-price deal for a player who came through their La Masia academy, and Mundo Deportivo are now reporting that Ronald Koeman is ready to table a formal offer.

Eric Garcia is in the final year of his Manchester City contract and Barcelona want to sign him

Garcia came through Barca’s La Masia academy before moving on to Manchester City in 2017

There were reports of an initial £7.2m offer at the start of September that was knocked back by City, and Barca are now set to come again with an improved bid in an attempt to secure the signing.

Pep Guardiola is very keen to keep Garcia at the Etihad, but the arrival of Ruben Dias from Benfica blocks his path to the first-team even further.

Barcelona, meanwhile, could offload Samuel Umtiti and Jean-Clair Todibo before the window closes, leaving space for Garcia’s arrival in their back-line.

Ronald Koeman is reportedly readying a formal offer for centre back before the window shuts

Pep Guardiola wants to keep Garcia at the Etihad but the player wants to move elsewhere

It has been reported that Garcia is likely to cost in the region of £10m with his contract now in its final year, and his most likely destination is back to his former club.

He came through Barca’s La Masia academy set-up between 2008 and 2017, before heading to the Premier League with Guardiola.

Garcia made 13 Premier League appearances for the Premier League runners-up last season but is now desperate for more game-time.