With Southampton playing hardball in discussions regarding Mateus Fernandes, West Ham United could yet turn their attentions to a former Premier League starlet Pep Guardiola thought very highly of.
And, presumably, the Manchester City boss remains an admirer to this day.
Because while the latest midfielder to emerge on West Ham United’s radar might not have made the grade at the Etihad – no shame in that, of course, given the quality of those ahead of him in Guardiola’s pecking order at the time – Aleix Garcia has gone on to enjoy a fine career away from the Premier League giants.
Now at Bayer Leverkusen, Hammers News have been informed by chief football correspondent Graeme Bailey that the five-time Spain international is under consideration by Graham Potter’s side as deadline day looms.
West Ham saw Southampton reject their Mateus Fernandes offer earlier in the week. The Saints may hold out for double that opening £30 million bid.
Add in the fact that Aston Villa’s Jacob Ramsey is closing in on Newcastle – he was spotted arriving on Tyneside for a medical on Thursday afternoon – Garcia could conceivably be one to watch in East London.
West Ham United eye former Pep Guardiola favourite Aleix Garcia
Bailey believes that Aleix Garcia could overtake Fernandes on West Ham’s wishlist should Southampton refuse to budge on their lofty demands.
The Catalan-born 28-year-old is one of a number of alternatives who have been lined up.
Having started his career with Villarreal, Garcia was brought to England by former West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini a decade ago.
He made nine appearances in a Manchester City shirt, impressing Guardiola with his composure and vision from a deep-lying midfield role.
“Aleix was outstanding,” Guardiola said after watching Garcia – a footballer he felt possessed ‘something special’ dictate proceedings during a 1-0 EFL Cup defeat by Manchester United.
“He has a lot of quality. The only problem he has is that there are 22, 23 players in the squad. He’s a fantastic guy and we are very happy with [his] performance.”
Garcia appeared at risk of fading into obscurity during forgettable spells with Dinamo Bucharest and Eibar after leaving City, but a return to Catalonia in 2021 proved to be a turning point.
He was outstanding as Girona qualified for the Champions League for the very first time. His reward; a £15 million move to then-Bundesliga winners Bayer Leverkusen last year.
But now, following the departure of Xabi Alonso and the arrival of Erik ten Hag, Garcia could become the latest senior player to join the Leverkusen exodus after Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and more.
The West Ham-linked Amine Adli is joining AFC Bournemouth, according to reports from Foot Mercato.
Aleix Garcia’s set-pieces could rival James Ward-Prowse at West Ham
A wonderfully-gifted midfielder whose devilish free-kicks have drawn comparisons with David Beckham, per The Athletic, Aleix Garcia feels like a tailored fit for Graham Potter’s preferred possession-heavy gameplan.
“Aleix is a player with excellent strategical abilities. He is very assured in his passing game and has great vision from his position in holding midfield,” Leverkusen director Simon Rolfes said shortly after his arrival in Germany. “He [also] has leadership qualities that will be very valuable to us.”
Garcia scored five goals and set up four more during what could be his one and only season at the Bay Arena.
If a move back to England does come to fruition, James Ward-Prowse’s vice-like grip on set-piece duties could be loosened pretty quickly.
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