Atletico Madrid revive pursuit of Aleix García for €25m

Atletico Madrid have revived their interest in 28‑year‑old midfielder Aleix García, with Director Mateu Alemany reportedly managing a target list that lists the Bayer Leverkusen player as a realistic €25 million option as the Spanish club prepares for an active summer recruitment window.

García arrived at Bayer Leverkusen from Girona in the summer of 2024 for a fee reported around €18 million. His contract runs until 2029 and his market value is placed at roughly €20 million, while the German side would likely require €25 million to sanction a sale.

During the 2025‑26 season he started 33 Bundesliga matches, appeared in 12 Champions League games and featured in five German Cup fixtures, totalling 50 official appearances and 4,160 minutes. He contributed six goals and eleven assists and was ranked by Sofascore as the highest‑rated midfielder in the Bundesliga.

Sofascore’s data also saw him named in the league’s team of the season alongside Joshua Kimmich, Harry Kane and James Olise. That rating placed him above all other midfielders in the Bundesliga.

Speaking to Diario AS in February, García said, “Yes, I know there have been calls. But I always say that when it rings and nothing happens, it’s because it wasn’t meant to happen. And as I’m at Leverkusen, I’m delighted and I want to carry on.” He added that he could envision playing for one of Spain’s three biggest clubs, describing such a move as “welcome” if it ever materialised.

Director Mateu Alemany is reported to be managing the target list that includes García as a realistic and relatively affordable option. The report also lists Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand as an alternative, with an estimated price close to €45 million. Diego Simeone has indicated that García could serve as a complement or replacement for Conor Gallagher in the centre of the park.

Atletico Madrid have also been linked with a City midfielder and are negotiating with Bayer Leverkusen over Alejandro Grimaldo, indicating parallel talks with the same German club. Whether the existing dialogue eases or complicates a second negotiation for García remains uncertain.

The next meaningful development will be whether Atletico move from informal interest to a concrete offer and whether Bayer Leverkusen hold firm at the €25 million valuation.