“West Ham Miss Out on Aleix Garcia as Midfielder Chooses Bayer Leverkusen for Champions League Opportunity”
Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia disclosed that he received an offer from West Ham United this summer but opted to join the Bundesliga club instead, attracted by the opportunity to work with manager Xabi Alonso and play in the Champions League.
West Ham was eager to secure the Spain international following his standout performances for Girona last season. New manager Julen Lopetegui sought to bolster his squad as he returned to the Premier League. However, Garcia transferred to Leverkusen last month for approximately €20 million.
West Ham’s 9th-place finish in the 2023-24 Premier League season meant they missed out on European football, which hindered their ability to attract the 27-year-old to London.
Girona, having finished third in La Liga and qualifying for the Champions League, was a more appealing option for Garcia than a club without elite European competition.
West Ham now needs to find alternative midfield reinforcements, as losing Garcia is a significant setback. They still haven’t replaced Declan Rice, who left for Arsenal last summer, and may need to invest heavily to find a comparable talent.
Securing Garcia for €20 million would have been ideal for West Ham given his considerable skills, but now their scouting team must identify other viable targets.
Lopetegui, aiming for a strong debut season with the Hammers, needs to address the midfield situation promptly. With the summer transfer window expected to gain momentum after the European Championship, West Ham hopes to land a top defensive midfielder following their missed opportunity with Garcia.
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