Agreed. For Barcelona the deal being delayed until the Winter market has it's benefits. It gives us a chance to fully concentrate on establishing Araujo first. You would have to imagine that Eric Garcia would be pushed before Araujo being Catalan and better on the ball. But Araujo is a way more interesting defender long term.
The loser is Eric Garcia though who won't play much for atleast half a season. He is gunning for a spot in the Spain squad for EuroCopa so game-time is precious.
I'm guessing now that Barcelona will sign both Depay and Eric Garcia for next season and then negotiate with the clubs a low purchase fee for winter- take it or leave it. Whoever doesn't take it, we wait a season and get for free. Good business but a bit of a shame for Lyon who unlike City seemed very accommodating in regards to us signing Depay.
Definitely, I feel for the player as well. I have not been critical of Pep or Txiki before but here, they did not really consider the interests of the player. Objectively speaking, this was a deal that shoud've been facilitated and even more so considering the cules involved. Perhaps Khaldoon or City sheikhs simply weren't going to relent after Bartomeu refused to let Messi leave. Of course, Garcia is a kid and is not the goat
Nevertheless, cantera players that leave via the backdoor like Eric understand the return is never easy and at the very least, the outcome is assured - he will return home and become a key piece to the future of the club + he comes for free. Effectively, Barca received 1.7M in compensation and 3 years of tutelage from Pep for free - the alternative would've been the Segunda under Pimienta rather than any 1st team football. Barca come out of this way ahead
City, on the other hand, there will be a ripple effect for them as a consequence of how they've put Garcia in the shade