Barcelona president Joan Laporta hopes to see Manchester City defender Eric Garcia sign his pre-contract THIS WEEK.

Garcia is expected to return to Barca this summer when his City deal expires amid reports of the young stopper having verbally agreed terms for some months.

Mundo Deportivo says new Barca sporting director Mateu Alemany has now been told to close an agreement with Garcia as quickly as possible. And it's suggested Laporta wants a deal closed in the coming days.

Alemany is now in contact with Garcia's agent and Barca icon Ivan de le Pena in their effort to complete a pre-contract arrangement.

Just Monday, Garcia said: "I'm focused on what concerns me, now with the national team there is a very important match against Kosovo coming up, and then what comes will come.

"I don't know if it will be Barca."