Eric Garcia is set to leave Manchester City after turning down a new contract.
And that means his former club Barcelona are poised to move in and snap up the 19-year-old, who has broken through to the first team this season.
Garcia 's current deal expires next summer, but City will be keen to sell him now rather than lose him for nothing next year.
Barcelona have made no secret of their wish to recapture a player who left their famed La Masia academy to join City as a 16-year-old.
Garcia was born in Barcelona and is a lifelong fan of the club.
City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed that the player has told them he does not wish to stay, despite being assured he is a big part of their future.
City have already brought in Nathan Ake in a £41million deal, and are pursuing Napoli stopper Kalidou Koulibaly - but could also off-load Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.
Guardiola was asked about Garcia and said: "He announced to us he doesn't want to extend his contract with City.
"He has one more year and then after that, he doesn't want to extend. We wanted to but he doesn't want to. We imagine he wants to play in another place."
