West Ham United target Aleix Garcia

West Ham United are interested in signing Aleix Garcia from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window, according to TBR.

The Hammers are keen on a summer deal for Southampton playmaker Mateus Fernandes, but the London club are struggling to get a deal done with the Saints.

Southampton want over £50 million for Fernandes, but West Ham are not willing to pay and have now taken a shine to Garcia.

Journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR when asked about Lucas Paqueta leaving: “They stood by him, so I don’t think there’s a massive push for him to leave – the talk of West Ham accepting £30m has been totally ruled out.

“He’s been playing the last two years— he’s not been like Pogba, he hasn’t been banned, he hasn’t spent two years on the sidelines.

“So why would they suddenly drop from £70m down to £30m? That’s nonsense – they have other options.”

Bailey continued: “One option is Leverkusen’s Aleix Garcia, a player they quite like, he’s not really on anyone’s radar at the moment.

“There are other players, but West Ham need to move some out first to free up funds. They liked Jacob Ramsey, but that was never an option.

“Harvey Elliott was another target, but after Mohammed Kudus left, they only had £40m, and they spent £15/20m of that on Hermansen. Funds are very limited.

“Someone like Garcia might be available for that sort of money. James Ward-Prowse has come back into consideration, but there are players they want to move on.”