West Ham United were dealt a major blow in January when Lucas Paquetá departed to rejoin his boyhood club Flamengo.
Since then, the Hammers have struggled to replace his creativity in midfield, with a noticeable drop in attacking fluidity.
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It’s an issue that is expected to be a top priority heading into the summer transfer window — regardless of whether the club retains its Premier League status.
Now, it appears they may already have a target in mind.
West Ham ‘Seriously Interested’ in Garcia
Aleix Garcia. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Aleix Garcia. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
West Ham have reportedly registered strong interest in Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix Garcia ahead of the summer window, according to Fussballdaten.
The Spanish playmaker arrived in Germany with a strong reputation after impressing in La Liga with Girona, where he established himself as one of the division’s standout midfielders.
Since making the switch, he has continued to develop, playing a key role in Leverkusen’s success and helping them lift the German Super Cup.
Garcia’s performances have not gone unnoticed. Former manager Xabi Alonso has previously described him as “outstanding,” praising his composure and intelligence in midfield.
The 28-year-old is also enjoying a highly productive campaign, contributing nine assists and five goals so far this season — numbers that underline his creative quality and attacking influence.
West Ham Will Face Competition
While West Ham are said to be among the most interested clubs, securing Garcia’s signature will not be straightforward.
Interest from across Europe is growing, with clubs in both England and Spain — including Atletico Madrid — monitoring his situation closely. That competition could make negotiations more complicated, particularly given his importance to Leverkusen and his consistent performances at the top level.
West Ham’s pursuit of Garcia signals a clear intent to address their creative shortcomings in midfield.
With Lucas Paquetá’s departure still being felt, bringing in a player of Garcia’s quality could be crucial to rebuilding the team’s attacking structure. However, with strong interest from elsewhere, the Hammers will need to move decisively if they are to land their man this summer.