Aston Villa will reportedly compete with La Liga giants Barcelona for the signature of 26-year-old Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia.
According to a report by Spanish outlet AS, Aleix Garcia is the subject of interest from Aston Villa. The West Midlands club will look for a midfield reinforcement in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Girona midfielder is also a target for fellow La Liga outfit Barcelona.
The rise and rise of Aleix Garcia
Aleix Garcia has been one of the best midfielders in La Liga during his ongoing stint with Girona. A former Manchester City player, the Spaniard had to bide his time before finding a stable footing in his career. However, he has not looked back since rejoining Girona in July 2021.
The 26-year-old has gone from strength to strength in the last three years, becoming a cult hero for the White and Reds amid their incredible rise to becoming a top-four side. Garcia has been a mainstay in the middle of the park for Girona this season, amassing 3,039 minutes across 36 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with six goals and three assists.
Meanwhile, Garcia’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen. Other well-known outfits are also keen on signing the Spanish international, with Barcelona and Aston Villa vying for his signature heading into the summer transfer window.
Barcelona’s eagerness to sign Aleix Garcia is understandable. The outgoing La Liga champions hold a long-standing interest in the 26-year-old midfielder, who can replace Oriol Romeu at the Catalan club and transform the midfield department. However, recent developments have put Barcelona in a spot of bother.
New suitors emerge
Aston Villa’s entry into the equation further complicates matters for Barcelona. The Villans will aim to make a few efficient signings if they qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Signing a midfielder is one of the objectives for the West Midlands club. Garcia has thus emerged as a viable target.
Garcia will not cost a bomb, with Girona valuing him at around €15-20 million. While the price tag should not bother Barcelona, the presence of other bigwigs like AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen, and Aston Villa should be a cause for concern. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Spanish international is also a target for Bournemouth.
