Koeman provides a transfer update on key Barcelona target

The Blaugrana boss has offered an update on the club’s hopes of signing a key transfer target this year.

Ronald Koeman is ‘sure’ that Eric Garcia will rejoin Barcelona sooner or later, but couldn’t confirm when exactly that would be.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Garcia refused a contract offer and expects the 20-year-old to return to Camp Nou.

Barcelona hoped to bring the former La Masia graduate back to Catalonia at the beginning of the season. But the club’s deadline day offer was €2m short of City’s asking price, ending their pursuit of Garcia for now.

The center-back can sign up for the 26-time LaLiga champions once his contract with City expires at the end of the season.

“I’m sure he’ll come for next season and if it’s not possible in January then we’ll accept that and move on,” said Koeman on Garcia in a pre-match conference ahead of Sunday’s league match at home to Athletic Club.

“I don’t know if he’ll arrive in January or not, that’s not my job, all I’m focusing on is tomorrow’s game.”

Garcia, meanwhile, made his first appearance for City in almost a month in their 3-1 FA Cup victory over Cheltenham last weekend.