Back in the summer window, there were many reports from the Spanish media claiming AFC Bournemouth were interested in signing Alvaro Garcia from Rayo Vallecano.
Since Andoni Iraola had worked with the winger at the La Liga side, it was said the manager would like to bring him to the Premier League.
It turns out that Bournemouth’s interest in Garcia is now confirmed by the player himself, in an interview with Radio Marca.
The midfielder was asked whether the Cherries actually moved for his signing, and had no problems sharing some details of this attempt.
“Yeah… maybe [laughs]. I was talking to him a little bit. He was interested as well. At the club they asked for the clause. In the end you understand all sides. You understand the club because it’s their player and they have a clause to fulfil and also it’s nice that your manager is going to the Premier League and they want you,” Garcia told Marca.
The player also made some more comments on his great relationship with Iraola and the big impact the manager had on his career.
“The truth is that that year had a big impact on me. Especially the arrival of Andoni. Iraola changed my life at Rayo. The day of Girona I calmed down, I cried a lot after the game. In the interview I had recently, the pandemic also made me free myself and my mind. I forgot a bit about football and it helped me.”
With Garcia being so clear about Iraola’s interest in him, it’d probably be no surprise to see Bournemouth try for signing again in the upcoming windows.
The problem is that reports from Spain at the time said his release clause is €25m, and that sounds a lot for a 30-year-old who’s valued by Transfermarkt at €6m.
