West Ham United are one of several clubs to show an interest in Sporting Gijón midfielder Manu García this summer.
That’s according to El Comercio, who say a potential move will be dependent on the 24-year-old’s impending decision about his future.
They report that Sporting want to keep García for next season, and the player is currently scheduled for medical examinations and then the start of pre-season on Saturday.
However, his future is ‘one of the great uncertainties’ that remain at the club as, before a recent takeover by the Orlegi group, there had been negotiations about a departure.
While the club and manager Gerardo García would like him to stay and are trying to convince him on that front, they may be thwarted in their efforts.
That’s because García has a clause in his current deal that means he can leave on loan to a club in a higher division should they bid.
That clause expires on July 15th and means ‘everything is up in the air’ until that point.
In these circumstances, García would first add a year to his current contract, which is set to expire in 2025, before departing on his loan deal.
At the moment, García ‘gives priority’ to Sporting, but there is interest from elsewhere, with Anderlecht, West Ham and Sporting Braga all considering moves for the 24-year-old. In fact, the Belgian club have already been in contact about a deal.
García’s plan is to first speak with the new owners to discover the project they have in mind and how he fits into them.
Depending on how those discussions go, he’ll then make a decision about his future, with West Ham one of several clubs waiting in the wings should he decide to depart before that July 15th deadline.
