There is great news on West Ham’s bid for a top Spain star as his club closes in on signing a direct replacement.
West Ham’s summer rebuild is so extensive it will require at least one signing for every position.
A new goalkeeper is needed, full-backs, at least two new centre-backs, an attacking midfielder or two who can play off the left and right and a striker.
One area West Ham are probably strongest in terms of numbers is central midfield.
But that area of the team arguably needs serious work too.
At no point last season did David Moyes find a system that got the best out of or suited his collection of central midfielders.
Lucas Paqueta and James Ward-Prowse were often rotated out on the left to accommodate having the excellent Edson Alvarez and Tomas Soucek in the same side.
Each brings their own crucial influence to matches. But together it never really clicked.
Changing that will be one Julen Lopetegui’s most important remits as West Ham’s new head coach.
Whether that is through transfers or tactics remains to be seen.
When West Ham’s transfer budget was confirmed at £100m by a source close to majority owner David Sullivan recently, it was claimed Ward-Prowse could be sold after just one season.
There has been contrasting speculation over the future of Hammers-owned central midfielder Flynn Downes too.
Some reports have stated Lopetegui wants to take a close look at Downes in pre-season before making a decision. Others that the Spaniard will move him on.
One of the clearest indications yet that the central midfield dynamic is about to change is links to Girona star Aleix Garcia.
The 26-year-old Spaniard – who spent five years with Manchester City from 2015-2020 – is a transfer target for his compatriot Lopetegui.
According to the Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, the Hammers have made a £14 million bid for Girona captain Garcia.
Bayer Leverkusen are also vying for his signature but Lopetegui could be key to landing him it’s been claimed.
West Ham have not had much luck in their very deliberate drive to get deals done early this summer.
But there’s great news on West Ham’s bid for Spain star Garcia as his club closes in on a replacement.
And there is a West Ham link to that deal too, in the shape of Hammers co-owner Daniel Kretinsky.
According to journalist Matteo Moretto, Girona are close to signing Sparta Prague star Ladislav Krejci.
The Czech Republic teammate of Soucek and Vladimir Coufal is also interesting ex West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini at Real Betis.
But Moretto claims Girona, anticipating the sale of Garcia, have agreed a £10m deal with Kretinsky’s club Sparta for Krejci as a ‘direct replacement’.
And Krejci himself has agreed to the move.
“Girona is getting closer to Ladislav Krejci,” Moretto states.
In recent days the Spanish club has offered a total amount of 12 million (£10m) between fixed and variable.
“The player already has everything arranged and has said yes.
“Betis is still far away.”
West Ham must still fend off Leverkusen for Garcia’s signature, though.
Many have pointed to the Lopetegui link being key.
But let’s not forget that Leverkusen’s boss Xabi Alonso is also Spanish – and one of the most talented managers in world football nontheless.
Alonso can also offer Garcia Champions League football.
What he can’t offer, though, is the chance of playing in the best league in world football and living in London.
Garcia was fundamental in Girona upsetting the La Liga odds by finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League next season.
He played in all but one of the City Group-owned Girona’s league games, scoring three goals and laying on six assists.
Garcia also record a superb average match rating of more than 7/10.
Those unfamiliar with Garcia can check out what he’d bring to West Ham in the video below.