Xavi once said ‘special’ player is good enough to play for Barcelona, now West Ham want to sign him

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West Ham United are pushing for more signings in the final weeks of the summer transfer window.

The Irons are hoping for a much better campaign than they had last time, and the pressure is on Graham Potter to deliver.

El Hadji Malick Diouf, Kyle Walker-Peters and Callum Wilson have all been signed in this window, but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Potter is keen to sign a new midfielder in the coming weeks, and their latest target was once praised by Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.

What Xavi once said about West Ham target Aleix Garcia

Aleix Garcia could be one to watch in the final weeks of the transfer window.

The 28-year-old only joined Bayer Leverkusen in the summer of 2024, right after Xabi Alonso led the club to the Bundesliga title.

Potter has been keen to sign a new midfielder, with Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez both available for sale in the next few weeks.

Jacob Ramsey did not want to join the Irons, while the Hammers do not have much money left to sign Harvey Elliott from Liverpool.

TBR Football exclusively revealed that West Ham really like Garcia, and he is someone who they can afford without too much trouble.

For those wondering who the Spaniard is, Xavi once claimed that he is good enough to play for Barcelona.

The legendary midfielder said in 2023, as per Barca Blaugranes: “Aleix? He’s a footballer that I like!

“He’s having a huge season. He has a lot of technical ability and the level to play here, to play for Barcelona.

“If he wants to play here? Who wouldn’t want to play for a big team like Barca?”

Aleix Garcia has been compared to Granit Xhaka

Garcia is naturally a number eight, but he can play in all three central midfield positions.

The 28-year-old played 34 times under Alonso at Leverkusen last season, and many of those appearances came next to Granit Xhaka.

Bundesliga’s official website, who quote Pep Guardiola calling Garcia a ‘special’ player, also compared him to the new Sunderland captain.

They wrote in 2024: “Alonso captured the Swiss midfielder from Arsenal before the historic 2023/24 campaign, and the new man ultimately had a decisive impact – Die Werkself will be hoping García can make a similar contribution.

“The new arrival is comfortable in possession and was tasked with keeping the ball moving for Girona, much like Xhaka at the BayArena.

“He also has an infrequent eye for a goal from distance, netting as many league strikes as his new partner in crime this past season (2023/24).”