West Ham United outbid Bayer Leverkusen for Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia
West Ham have made an offer to sign Girona’s Aleix Garcia during the summer transfer window, according to Eduard Sola.
The Catalunya Radio journalist told the station on 3 June that the Irons had bid for the Spanish midfielder and now both the 26-year-old and his club were considering it.
Radio Girona Esports journalist Nil Sola relayed further information via Twitter that the offer was worth around €16million [£13.6m], which is more than transfer rivals and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Xabi Alonso’s side will be in the Champions League next term, as will Girona after a third-placed finish in La Liga, but while West Ham won’t have European football their offer for Garcia is seen as “very important”.
West Ham turn to La Liga for new Julen Lopetegui signing
Central midfield doesn’t look like an obvious area of need compared to the attacking positions and an overhaul of central defence but it appears incoming manager Julen Lopetegui might feel otherwise.
Although the Irons have last summer’s signings Edson Alvarez and James Ward-Prowse the club faces a possible ban for Brazilian star Lucas Paqueta after his FA charge for alleged spot fixing, which he denies.
And it remains to be seen what role Tomas Soucek has under the Spaniard having been synonymous with the previous David Moyes set up.
Alonso’s double-winners, who only failed to complete an unbeaten treble with defeat in the Europa League final against Atalanta, are bound to be an attractive proposition after their stunning season so it would be a statement of intent to beat the German champions in a transfer battle.
Garcia, a former Manchester City man, was virtually ever-present as Girona put together a surprise campaign to finish behind only Champions League winners Real Madrid, and Barcelona, in just their second season back in the Spanish top flight.
He made 37 La Liga appearances, contributing three goals and six assists, and while Tim Steidten appears to have been tied up by attempted deals in Brazil there apparently hasn’t stopped him pursuing moves back in Europe too.
The club have seen a £12.5m deal [The Sun, 28 May] to bring in Brazilian defender Patricio Bruno collapse, and a £25m-plus move for teenage attacker Luis Guilherme dragged back on track when it appeared to be going the same way.
But money has seemingly also been put on the table for Garcia in a move which may be a sign of Lopetegui’s input into the summer transfer planning.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are trying to sign another player from La Liga amid fierce competition.
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