La Liga captain David Garcia opens door to £17m Wolves transfer this summer

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La Liga and Osasuna defender David Garcia may have opened the door to a potential Wolves move while expressing his admiration for the Premier League, in conversation with ABC. 

Julen Lopetegui, Wolverhampton Wanderers’ former Sevilla and Real Madrid boss, is a big fan of a man who could conceivably claim to be one of the most underrated central defenders anywhere in Europe’s major leagues.

That is, at least, according to Spanish publication AS. The report claims that Wolves showed an interest in triggering Garcia’s £17 million release clause ahead of the January transfer window; Lopetegui weighing up a move for a man he has admired from afar for a number of years. 

And, with release clause on the ‘affordable’ side, a Wolves side who’s soft centre was exposed by the recent 4-2 home defeat by Leeds United may be tempted to renew their interest, especially with Max Kilman attracting plenty of admirers and Nathan Collins not quite developing as some would have hoped.

Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui is a big fan of Osasuna’s David Garcia

Garcia has captained Osasuna in each of their last five La Liga games. The Pamplona-born colossus has spent his entire career at Los Rojillos too. But may be tempted by the prospect of a fresh start and a change of scenery as he approaches his 30^th birthday. 

“It is clear that (the Premier League) is one of the best leagues in the world,” Garcia tells ABC.  

“The Premier League is the Premier League. But I cannot answer that question because the situation has not occurred.”

Osasuna director Braulio Vazquez is under no illusion that a £17 million fee is not out of the reach of deep-pocketed Premier League clubs, adding that few in Spain – bar Real Madrid and Barcelona – would be able to match the figures on offer in England. 

Garcia insists that there has been interest. But serious, concrete offers remain few and far between. 

“I have not been close (to leaving). It has not occurred,” adds the two-footed stopper, who can also play in defensive midfield. “Yes, there has been interest and noise from some teams. But it stopped there.”