Manchester City are facing renewed pressure to keep hold of defender Eric Garcia amid interest from Barcelona.
It was seen by both clubs as a significant coup when the Blues were able to sign Garcia in 2017, given the player was rated so highly in the La Masia academy.
After a year getting used to the demands of English football, teenager Garcia starred under Pep Guardiola's gaze in the first-team tour of the United States in 2018 and had made his senior debut by December of that season after overcoming an injury that kept him out of the opening months of the campaign.
City's manager continues to be impressed by the 19-year-old, having likened him to Sergio Busquets and regularly praising the defender's maturity and lack of mistakes.
Barcelona, though, have not given up hope of tempting Garcia back to the club and city where many of his friends and family still reside.
They are thought to have been encouraged by the fact a new contract at the Etihad beyond his deal that runs out in 2022 has not been announced, and ESPN reported this week that City have knocked back an inquiry from the Catalan club.
City see Garcia as a firm part of their plans for the future and have already integrated him into the first team squad. However, they will have to ensure the player remains happy, to fend off the temptation of former club Barcelona who would jump at the chance to bring him back to the Nou Camp.
