West Ham United move for Spain international confirmed as ‘interesting’ proposal made
Aleix Garcia has shared details of a “very interesting” offer West Ham United made to sign him from Girona earlier in the transfer window.
West Ham were repeatedly linked with the Spain international upon Julen Lopetegui’s arrival at London Stadium [AS, 10 June].
However, the midfielder instead opted to join Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen because of a number of different factors.
In an interview with German newspaper Bild‘s print edition [7 August, pages 26 and 27], Garcia said: “The [West Ham] offer was very interesting.
“Julen Lopetegui called me often, but in the end it was Xabi’s calls, the Champions League and the club’s overall package that tipped the scales.”
West Ham have moved on from Aleix Garcia
Missing out on Garcia was a blow given his credentials, and he will no doubt be a massive success at Leverkusen, but United have moved on.
Indeed, Guido Rodriguez is the latest arrival at London Stadium on a free transfer and plays in the same central midfield position.
Rodriguez brings experience and is also a World Cup winner with Argentina, so he will certainly leave his mark in East London.
The reasons behind Garcia’s snub are also fair enough. Leverkusen are the champions of Germany, one of the most exciting teams on the continent right now and will be playing in the Champions League.
Let’s just hope that 12 months from now, the Irons are also embarking on another European campaign – albeit likely the Europa League at best – and have further ammunition to persuade players to join.
All-in-all, this failed transfer is not exactly one that will leave supporters reeling.
In other West Ham news, a club pushing to sign a centre-back from the Irons has been named.
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