Manuel Pellegrini is keen on West Ham signing Real Betis midfielder Javi Garcia in January, according to The Sun.
The national newspaper claim that the 6ft 1in tall midfield enforcer (Source: Transfermarkt) is open to a permanent move but that Pellegrini would only be able to secure him on loan.
The Sun report that Pellegrini worked with Garcia for one season when they where both at Man City before the experienced manager sanctioned the player’s sale to Zenit St Petersburg.
OPINION
It seems based on The Sun’s report the 31-year-old midfielder is looking for a long-term contract with a club in order to make his future in football look secure. However based on the fact that West Ham are probably only keen on him for the immediate future, it’s hard to see a deal happening. The newspaper’s report describes that with Winston Reid, Jack Wilshere, Carlos Sanchez and Fabian Balbuena all currently sidelined with injuries, that Garcia could be useful. The midfielder is adept at playing centre-back as well as in a holding role in midfield, but it’s hard to see him being overall important once some of those players are back to full fitness. While it makes sense why Pellegrini is looking to Garcia, it’s very unlikely that the Hammers are so desperate for cover that they will commit themselves to handing the player a lengthy deal as well as paying Real Betis a decent fee for his services to get him.
