Barcelona set to face Bayer Leverkusen competition in race for midfield target

As we near the end of the 2023/24 campaign, two Catalan clubs – Barcelona and Girona – are gearing up for a busy summer ahead.

While Barcelona are aiming to reinforce the squad with new players, Girona will have an uphill task of keeping hold of their star performers.

Aleix Garcia, in particular, is one of the rising stars at Girona and could be in focus in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Garcia has been linked with a move to Barcelona since the turn of the year. The club were even linked with a January move for the midfielder, but the transfer did not materialise.

Bayer Leverkusen interested in Garcia

Barcelona’s missed opportunity to sign Aleix Garcia in January could serve as a massive boon for Bayer Leverkusen.

According to Ivan Quiros (h/t Fabrizio Romano), the newly-crowned German champions have made an inquiry regarding the availability of Aleix Garcia in the coming summer.

Garcia has emerged as one of Leverkusen’s potential targets this summer, as Xavi Alonso looks to shore up his options in the middle of the park.

Although Leverkusen have yet to hold any talks with Girona regarding Garcia, the Spaniard is indeed one of the club’s potential transfer targets.

What about Barcelona?

As mentioned earlier, Barcelona were interested in a move for Aleix Garcia earlier in the year and was even linked with a January move for the midfielder.

However, Barça have not held any fresh talks since even though reports of interest in the Spanish international continue to do the rounds.

However, for now, it seems Barça are keener on signing an out-and-out defensive midfielder before setting their sights on a player like Garcia.

To that end, the club are closing in on the capture of Guido Rodriguez, who may join from Real Betis in the coming summer.