Barcelona sporting director Deco has refused to offer any guarantees when it comes to the future of Eric Garcia.

The 24-year-old was heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona during the January transfer window, with Girona and Como both believed to be interested in signing the Spaniard in a cut-price deal.

Barcelona had allegedly been willing to accept a fee in the region of €7m (£5.8m) plus add-ons, but according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan outfit's head coach Hansi Flick blocked the move.

Flick allegedly insisted that the club kept hold of Garcia, who has featured on 22 occasions for Barcelona this term, scoring three goals and registering one assist in the process.

Garcia excelled on loan at Girona last season before returning to his parent club, but there is speculation surrounding his future, with his current deal due to expire in the summer of 2026.

Deco unsure on Garcia's future at Barcelona

Deco has paid tribute to Garcia's improvement over the last 18 months, but the Barcelona sporting director has conceded that his long-term future could be away from Camp Nou.

"I repeat. Each one has his own story and his own contract. Eric is a player who grew a lot last season at Girona. The Eric that the clubs wanted this season is not the Eric who left here a year earlier," Deco told SPORT.

"He is a much more accomplished player, much more mature. He has a lot of self-confidence, he has been an Olympic champion. He is 23 years old and is reaching his maturity. He has one more year of contract with us, the relationship with his agent is very good.

"I think we have to go little by little. In a season there are moments, sometimes a player feels valued and other times, not. Now he is in a good moment, but we don't know if he will continue.

"I think so because I think he has the capacity to reach a great level and then he must want to continue at Barca. Once this is over, he is surely a player that we want to count on, but I don't think now is the time yet."

Is Garcia first choice at Barcelona?

Garcia has featured in five of Barcelona's last six league matches, operating as a centre-back and a midfielder, but he is down the pecking order when it comes to both positions.

Indeed, Inigo Martinez, Pau Cubarsi and Ronald Araujo are ahead of him in the middle of the defence, while there is fierce competition for the two central midfield spots, with Gavi, Pedri, Marc Casado and Frenkie de Jong all battling for action.

Garcia would therefore have to accept being a squad player if he is to remain at Barcelona on a long-term basis, and he may decide at this stage of his career to seek a move to a club where he would be considered an important player.