“Lopetegui called me often” – Player on West Ham attempts to sign him, reveals why he snubbed Hammers

West Ham United were linked with Aleix Garcia earlier this summer, with Julen Lopetegui said to be keen on securing the player from Girona.

Then, in mid June, it was reported in Spain that the Hammers had walked away from a potential deal. Indeed, it was stated they never really pushed to get him.

Garcia then moved to Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and has now spoken to the Spanish media about the West Ham claims.

As far as the 27-year-old midfielder has it, and as he explained in a chat with Jijantes, the Premier League club were very keen and manager Julen Lopetegui made serious efforts to try and convince him to move to London.

Indeed, Garcia has said that Lopetegui was repeatedly on the telephone, but he decided against moving to West Ham, where he’d have had better financial conditions, because he was determined to play Champions League football next season.

Jijantes quote him as saying: “I had the option of going to West Ham as it appeared in the press. I was also interested and Lopetegui called me often. After qualifying for the Champions League for Girona, it was a priority for me to play in the Champions League, not for the money that the Premier League can give you.”

Clearly, West Ham tempted him but that lure of Champions League football was just too big to ignore.