One of West Ham United’s summer targets has admitted that Julen Lopetegui called him ‘often’ but the Hammers failed to get the deal over the line.
West Ham United, under former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui, have been busy in the summer transfer window as they aim to rebuild under the Spaniard.
The Hammers confirmed the signing of Wolves defender Max Kilman earlier this month after the East London side struck a £40 million deal with the Black Country side.
West Ham have also signed promising midfielder Luis Guilherme this summer from Palmeiras, this came after co-chairman David Sullivan originally refused to sanction the signing of the teenager.
Aleix Garcia admits Julen Lopetegui called him ‘often’ about move to West Ham
Spanish midfielder Aleix Garcia had a superb season at La Liga side Girona as the Spanish side finished in a UEFA Champions League place under promising manager Michel.
Last season for Girona, Garcia featured in 37 out of 38 La Liga games for the club, scoring three times and providing six assists.
Former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez admitted to Mundo Deportivo that Garcia was good enough to play for Barcelona and that he had ‘a lot of technical ability’ after an outstanding campaign.
This naturally led to transfer interest from the Premier League with HITC reporting that Aston Villa and Tottenham were interested in Garcia, but the Spaniard decided to join Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.
However, speaking to Spanish outlet Jijantes, Garcia admitted it was West Ham who pushed the hardest.
“I had the option of going to West Ham as it appeared in the press,” Garcia said. “I was also interested and Lopetegui called me often.
“After qualifying for the Champions League for Girona, it was a priority for me to play in the Champions League, not for the money that the Premier League can give you.”
West Ham continue busy summer of transfer business
Missing out on a player like Garcia will come as a big blow but the Hammers are continuing other key transfer dealings.
HITC reported that West Ham are continuing talks with Aston Villa over the signing of forward Jhon Duran, who was previously linked with Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
As well as this, West Ham have also been offered the chance to sign Noussair Mazraoui, with the Bayern Munich right-back surplus to requirements in Bavaria.
it looks set to be a busy summer transfer window for the Hammers.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
