West Ham United are reportedly showing strong interest in Aleix Garcia, as the Spanish midfielder considers leaving Bayer Leverkusen during what has become one of the most turbulent transfer windows for the Bundesliga club. The 28-year-old could join Tomas Soucek and Malick Diouf in midfield at the London Stadium.
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A chaotic summer for Bayer Leverkusen
Among Bundesliga clubs, Bayer Leverkusen appear to be experiencing one of the most turbulent transfer windows. According to many fans, the club only has itself to blame. Certain departures were long expected – such as Jonathan Tah, Florian Wirtz, or Jeremie Frimpong – but others were more surprising. Key dressing room figures have moved on, even those without ambitions of joining European giants.
Captain Lukas Hradecky left despite being earmarked for a backup role and valued for his leadership. Granit Xhaka’s exit was a particularly painful one, and Amine Adli has also departed. Victor Boniface has been linked with a move as well. Many point to dissatisfaction in the dressing room with new head coach Erik ten Hag as a major factor behind the exodus.
Hincapie hands in transfer request
Every time Leverkusen attempt to reinforce the squad, another key player seems to hand in a transfer request. The latest is Ecuador international Piero Hincapie, who is reportedly on his way to Arsenal. And it may not end there.
With the exits of Florian Wirtz and Granit Xhaka, it seemed there could be a place in the squad for Aleix Garcia. The Spanish midfielder joined last summer from Girona, where he was captain and had long been on Barcelona’s radar. However, he failed to establish himself as a starter and has not lived up to expectations.
West Ham target Aleix Garcia
The issue may be tactical. With Wirtz occupying the number ten role and two hard-tackling, limited ball-playing midfielders behind him, there was little space for Garcia’s profile. Under Erik ten Hag, Garcia has recently featured in the starting XI alongside Robert Andrich, but he did not impress in the opening fixture against Hoffenheim.
His performance was sluggish, decision-making was slow, and he wasted several chances by playing backwards or sideways. Despite that, West Ham United have reportedly shown strong interest and could offer him the role he lacks in Germany.
Bayer Leverkusen are said to be demanding at least €20m (around £17m) for the 28-year-old. While it would not be considered a major loss, there are questions over whether Leverkusen can afford to reduce squad depth any further with the transfer window drawing to a close.
This article was originally published on Fotbal Portal.
