West Ham have offered Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia a £3.4million wage packet after he missed out on the Spain squad for Euro 2024, according to AS.
The Spanish publication reported that having been cut for Luis de la Fuente’s final 26-man squad, Garcia will decide whether to remain with Girona or join either the Hammers or Bayer Leverkusen.
Julen Lopetegui is extremely keen to bring Garcia to the London Stadium [Fabrizio Romano], and is ready to exceed an offer of £15million to sign him.
West Ham still in transfer hunt for Aleix Garcia
Going up against Bayer Leverkusen and his current club Girona in the race to secure Garcia next season, West Ham are, in footballing terms, punching above their weight [The Guardian].
Both Girona and Leverkusen produced massive shocks in their respective leagues this season, both qualifying for the Champions League and the latter winning the Bundesliga without losing a single match.
As such, for Garcia to hit the heights needed to force his way back into the Spanish international side, staying put with Girona or joining Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten champions could be a more sensible decision.
However, the former Manchester City star may be even more keen for a second crack at the Premier League. He only made four top-flight appearances for City between 2015 and 2017, and would likely be a first-choice pick for Lopetegui if he chooses to head to the London Stadium.
If the Hammers can beat Leverkusen to Garcia’s signing this summer, it will be a huge statement of intent for Lopetegui’s squad overhaul [Evening Standard], showing that his side means business next season.
