Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola disclosed to press Thursday that the club's young Spanish center back Eric Garcia has turned down a new contract with the club.

The 19-year-old, who was viewed as a replacement for either Nicolas Otamendi or John Stones, made 13 Premier League appearances for the Citizen last season.

"He (Garcia) announced to us that he doesn't want to extend his contract with Manchester City. He has one more year and after that, he doesn't want to extend. We want it but he doesn't want to extend it, so I imagine he wants to play in other places," explained Guardiola.

Garcia joined Guardiola's club from FC Barcelona in 2017. Barca are thought to want him back to replace Samuel Umtiti and provide long-term cover for 33-year-old Gerard Pique.

City strengthened their defense on Wednesday with the signing of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth, but with Garcia stating he doesn't want a new contract, the club now has to decide whether to sell him this summer or risk losing him for free in 2021.

If he does leave, Guardiola will have to decide whether to look for another defender this summer or to keep faith with Stones or Otamendi for another year.

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