Barcelona 'pushing to sign Girona's Aleix Garcia for cut-price fee'

Barcelona are reportedly hopeful that they can sign Girona midfielder Aleix Garcia for as little as €12m (£10.4m).

Head coach Xavi is a known admirer of Garcia and admitted last month that the 26-year-old has the "technical ability" and "level" to play for the reigning La Liga champions.

Garcia sparked speculation over a potential move to Camp Nou last month when he expressed his desire to represent Barca at some stage in his career.

"I would like to play for Barca," Aleix told Movistar Plus. "It is the club that I have followed since I was little and the one that I have always liked."

Garcia's comments upset Girona boss Michel, who has admitted that he would be "hurt" if the midfielder was to depart the club for Barca.

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"I feel that Aleix won't leave us," said Michel as quoted by journalist Nil Sola. "Honestly I'd hurt if Aleix left. I don't say that because of Barca, but just because we'd lose a key player for us. But again, I feel he's staying."

Girona have made a surprising yet impressive start to the 2023-24 campaign and currently sit joint-top of the La Liga table along with Real Madrid with 45 points from 18 games, and Garcia has been a key player for the club thus far.

The former Manchester City youngster has scored three goals and registered four assists in 18 Spanish top-flight matches this term, wearing the captain's armband on 13 of those occasions.

Garcia still has over two years remaining on his contract with Girona, who allegedly value the midfielder at around €20m (£17.3m).

However, according to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona believe that they can drive the price down to as low as €12m (£10.4m).

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The report refers to last summer's negotiations between the two clubs involving the transfer of Oriol Romeu and state that Girona initially wanted around €10m (£8.7m) for the midfielder before Barca ultimately managed to strike a deal worth closed for €3.8m (£3.3m), and the latter intend to agree a similar deal for Garcia.

Last month, Girona president Delfi Geli insisted that the club do not intend to let Garcia or any other first-team player leave the club during the January transfer window.

Speaking to Catalunya Radio, Geli said: "Aleix is our player. We want all our footballers to continue. We understand that many things can be said in a market, but we are clear that we will not let any player go. Aleix is fully involved and will stay with us if there is nothing new."

Garcia is set to play for Girona when they welcome Atletico Madrid to Estadi Montilivi for a La Liga fixture on Wednesday night.