Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta confirms club putting Eric Garcia signing on hold

Laporta alongside two other presidential candidates met with the club's interim president Carles Tusquets on Friday to discuss Barca's transfer business in January.

The club decided not to land the Man City centre-back this winter but to wait until the summer and sign him on a free transfer.

"[Tusquets] informed us that there's a possibility to sign Eric Garcia," Joan Laporta said of Friday's meeting with Barcelona's interim president Carles Tusquets alongside the other two presidential candidates Victor Font and Toni Freixa, as quoted by ESPN.

"But he is out of contract in June and would be available on a free transfer -- as long as the sporting structure in place at that time green light the signing.

"The club informed us there is no money; that they have to look for imaginative ways to be able to pay [City]. So, we must see in June, when there is no transfer cost involved."

The three presidential candidates met with Tusquets to discuss Barca's transfer business this month after the election, that was scheduled to take place on January 24, was postponed on Friday due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Thus, the Catalans will have to wait until the end of the season to land Ronald Koeman's top targets.

Aside from the Man City centre-back, Koeman is also keen on Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum and Lyon's Memphis Depay. Each of the trio is set to become a free agent in June.