West Ham have identified Bayer Leverkusen’s midfielder Aleix Garcia as a “concrete” priority for the upcoming summer transfer window, according to report from Fussballdaten.

The 28-year-old, who has been a key player for Leverkusen, is currently regarded as the most ‘serious’ target for the Hammers as they look to inject world-class creativity into their engine room.

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The Hammers’ interest is not new, having attempted to sign him back in 2024 as well.

Garcia is having an impressive season, contributing nine assists and five goals across all competitions.

West Ham face competition from Atletico Madrid

While West Ham are leading the interest from the Premier League, they face a formidable rival in Atletico Madrid.

Diego Simeone is reportedly desperate to bring Garcia back to Spain as a replacement for Conor Gallagher, who recently joined Tottenham.

Atletico previously failed with an inquiry in January, but the report suggests that they are returning with a €25 million offer.

Leverkusen, however, are holding firm. Despite Garcia’s market value sitting around €20 million, the German champions have reportedly set the price at €30 million (£25m), refusing to part with their playmaker for anything less.

West Ham face serious relegation risk

Despite the club’s ambitious transfer plans, West Ham’s pursuit of Garcia could heavily depend on their Premier League status.

The Hammers are currently involved in a relegation battle, sitting 18th in the table with just 29 points from 31 games.

With only seven matches remaining and trailing 17th-placed Tottenham by a single point, the London Stadium outfit is facing its most uncertain end-of-season run in years.

A player of Garcia’s quality is unlikely to entertain a move to the Championship, which is why the club’s Premier League status could play a decisive factor in the player’s decision.

Garcia’s rise: From Manchester City academy to Bundesliga star

García’s journey has come full circle. Once a prospect in Manchester City’s academy, he truly found his footing at Girona before exploding under Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen.

Now thriving under the tactical shift at the BayArena, he has become one of Europe’s most impressive midfielders.

Aleix Garcia stats across various positions via Transfermarkt

Whether he chooses a return to his homeland or a high-profile return to England, Garcia is set to be one of the summer’s most sought-after signatures.

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Crystal Palace are reportedly keeping a close watch on the deteriorating situation at Chelsea, with former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown revealing that the Eagles are “long-term admirers” of Blues head coach Liam Rosenior.

Despite only taking the reins at Stamford Bridge in January, Rosenior is facing intense scrutiny following a dismal run of results that has left Chelsea’s Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

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According to Brown, the hierarchy at Selhurst Park has tracked Rosenior’s progress since his time at Hull City and his successful stint in France with Strasbourg.

Should the 41-year-old become a casualty of Chelsea’s ruthless managerial cycle, Palace are expected to be at the front of the queue for his services.

Crystal Palace monitoring Liam Rosenior as Oliver Glasner successor

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown highlighted that Rosenior’s reputation remains high among football insiders, despite the recent “Stamford Bridge slump.”

With current Palace boss Oliver Glasner officially confirming he will depart at the end of the season, the search for a successor is well underway.

“Obviously it seems like Liam Rosenior is under a bit of pressure.

“If he was to be sacked by Chelsea, he’s somebody Crystal Palace will be looking at, because they’ve been long-term admirers since before he came to Chelsea.

“The people I speak to at Hull City speak very, very highly of him, the way they played under him, the organisation, the way he interacted with his players.

“Everything about him as a manager, I’ve heard nothing but praise about until he’s gone to Chelsea and results maybe haven’t been as they’d have hoped.

“So from a Crystal Palace perspective, those are good signs, because he was highly rated in France as well and there are people at Palace who like him.

“If he was to leave Chelsea, they’d be alerted to that and he’s somebody I’m sure they would be looking at as an option to replace Glasner.

“It’s certainly something Palace will be keeping an eye on.”

Rosenior job safe for now despite nightmare form

The pressure on Rosenior is building up following four consecutive defeats across all competitions, including a humbling 8-2 aggregate exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG.

Domestically, a 3-0 drubbing by Everton has seen the Blues slide to sixth in the Premier League table.

But reports suggest the Chelsea hierarchy currently intends to give Rosenior at least one full season in charge before conducting any formal performance review.

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Leeds United could be set to part ways with Japanese international Ao Tanaka this summer, as the club adopts an open-minded stance regarding the midfielder’s future.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the 27-year-old has emerged as a primary target for several German clubs, with Leeds reportedly willing to consider bids if the right valuation is met.

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German clubs showing interest in Ao Tanaka

A return to Germany appears the most likely destination for Tanaka, where his reputation remains high following his successful stint in the 2. Bundesliga.

The interest is currently being led by Schalke 04 and Hannover 96, two historic sides currently embroiled in a fierce promotion race.

Schalke sit at the top of the 2. Bundesliga with 52 points, while Hannover are in fifth place, just three points off the automatic promotion spots.

Both clubs view Tanaka as a ready-made option to bolster their squads should they secure a return to the top flight.

Additionally, Union Berlin are said to have “tentative” interest, viewing the Japanese enforcer as a potential squad-depth option for their midfield.

Tanaka has struggled at Leeds United this season

Despite being a fan favorite during the promotion charge, Tanaka has struggled to maintain his influence in the Premier League.

Tanaka arrived at Elland Road last summer for a bargain £2.9 million from Fortuna Düsseldorf and was an instrumental figure in the club’s Championship-winning campaign.

However, since the Whites returned to the Premier League, the midfielder has found himself on the fringes of Daniel Farke’s starting XI, courtesy of injuries and a dip in form.

This season he has been limited to just seven starts, often appearing as a late-game substitute.

Statistically, his output has cooled significantly; he has managed just two goals and zero assists in 26 total appearances this campaign.

While earlier reports suggester that Leeds United don’t plan on sanctioning an exit for Tanaka, it now appears that the club may look to capitalise on the interest in the Japanese international.

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Leicester City are reportedly ready to sacrifice star winger Abdul Fatawu this summer as the club grapples with a deepening financial crisis and a potential slide toward League One.

According to The Telegraph, the Foxes intend to maintain their long-standing model of selling at least one marquee player per window to balance the books.

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Despite being a bright spark in an otherwise dismal campaign, Fatawu is increasingly viewed as the club’s most prized asset.

With Leicester recently announcing staggering annual losses of £71 million, the hierarchy has privately conceded that high-value sales are a necessity to ensure long-term stability.

Leicester expected to sell Abdul Fatawu amid financial struggles

The financial pressure on the King Power hierarchy is immense. The club is currently navigating its second stint in the Championship in three seasons and sits dangerously in 22nd place, just above the relegation.

Falling into the third tier would trigger further loss of revenue, making Fatawu’s departure almost inevitable.

Fatawu, who joined permanently from Sporting CP for €17 million last summer, represents a significant return on investment.

With his contract running until 2029, Leicester are in a strong position to demand a fee that could exceed €30 million, providing vital relief for their strained balance sheet.

Abdul Fatawu wanted by top clubs including Napoli

The 22-year-old’s individual form has not gone unnoticed by Europe’s elite. Napoli have emerged as the primary suitors, with reports suggesting the Serie A giants are preparing a €25 million opening bid.

The Italian side views the Ghanaian international as a priority target to add pace and directness to their wide areas next season.

Fatawu’s numbers this season, 9 goals and 7 assists in 38 games, have made him one of the most productive wingers in the Championship.

While several Premier League sides are also monitoring his situation, a move to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona would represent a significant step up, offering the young star a chance to return to the Champions League stage.

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Former Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus has publicly advised Jadon Sancho to snub a permanent move to the Premier League in favor of a return to the Westfalenstadion.

Sancho, currently on a season-long loan at Aston Villa from Manchester United, faces a defining summer as his contract at Old Trafford approaches its final months.

Despite showing flashes of his immense talent under Unai Emery, Sancho has struggled for consistent output in the Midlands, registering just one goal and three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions.

With his contract with Manchester United set to expire in the summer, Reus has backed his former teammate to return to Dortmund to save his career.

Marco Reus advises Jadon Sancho to return to Borussia Dortmund

Speaking to the German newspaper Bild, Reus, who shared a prolific partnership with Sancho between 2017 and 2021, insisted that emotional comfort is now more important than financial gain for the winger.

He said: “My advice to Jadon is to first and foremost look for a place where he feels comfortable again and can rediscover his game. And if that’s at BVB, then it would be good for both him and Dortmund! He knows what the game needs.”

Reus also praised Sancho, adding:

“I have rarely played with a player who instinctively made such good decisions in tight situations. He was sometimes quiet and introspective, but he still radiated good humour.

“Apart from his assists and goals, he knows what the game needs and what his teammates need. He is a player who draws two or three opponents to him and can accurately assess when to involve his teammates at the right moments.”

Dortmund are keen on re-signing Reus

The interest is not one-sided. Reports from Germany suggest that Dortmund are keen on bringing Sancho back for a third stint, though it would come with strict conditions.

The best period of Sancho’s career has been with the German giants, where he scored 53 goals and assisted another 67 in 158 games across all competitions.

He struggled to replicate his form in the Premier League despite having played with three different clubs, Chelsea, Manchester United and Aston Villa.

While Villa have not fully shut down a potential permanent transfer, perhaps a return to Germany would be the best option for Sancho to revive his career.

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