Barcelona legend visits Man City leading to concern of Barça youngsters making Etihad move

Barcelona legend Carles Puyol and another ex-Barça man, Iván de la Peña, were at Manchester City’s offices yesterday and this fact has led to some panic back in Catalunya.

That is because according to Catalan newspaper SPORT, the two represent some of Barcelona’s most promising academy players, and a trip to Manchester is obviously some cause for concern back home.

One of the names Barcelona are scared of losing is 16-year-old Eric García, a centre-back who is considered one of La Masia’s greatest hopes. He is represented by Puyol and De la Peña and is known to be on the radar of top Premier League clubs, including Manchester City.

Puyol and De la Peña have indicated that they were in Manchester simply to visit old friends – City’s executive and coaching staff is full of former Barcelona employees, including Ferran Soriano, Txiki Begiristain and, of course, Pep Guardiola.

The word from SPORT is that the two were not negotiating the transfer of Eric García or any other La Masia gem and that the offices of Barcelona academy can ‘breathe easily’ after some initial panic. The La Liga giants are always vigilant about losing their young prospects, having been raided repeatedly in the past by English clubs.

Get your Manchester City 2017/18 home shirt. Pre-order Online Now!