Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City have a deal in place for highly-rated Barcelona teenage defender Eric Garcia.
City are able to sign the 16-year-old despite their two-year ban for ‘tapping up’ schoolboys by the Premier League, with that sanction only applying in relation to players at other English clubs.
"I have good reports about him," City boss Guardiola told TV3.
"I haven't been lucky enough to see him play for myself yet, but people spoke very highly about him and we had the chance to sign him.
“He wanted to take this step in his career and we gave him the opportunity to do so."
Diario Sport reported a €1.7m fee for the Spanish Under 17 international, who is regarded as one of the stars of Barca’s La Masia academy.
Reports in Marca state the Catalans are furious with the nature of the deal and the role played by Garcia’s agent Carlos Puyol – a Barcelona legend – in ensuring the deal goes through.
Image via Diario Sport
