Atletico Madrid pursue Aleix García for third time with €25m Leverkusen bid

Atletico Madrid are making a third attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Aleix García, with director Mateu Alemany understood to be managing the pursuit of the 28-year-old, according to Diario AS. No formal offer has yet been lodged with Leverkusen, but the renewed push — following failed approaches in the summer 2024 and January 2025 windows — signals more than passing interest.

García joined Leverkusen from Girona in the summer of 2024 for around €18 million and is contracted at the German club until 2029. His current market value sits at approximately €20 million, with Leverkusen expected to demand around €25 million to sanction a sale. That figure compares favourably with Morten Hjulmand — the Sporting CP and Denmark holding midfielder also on Atletico’s shortlist — whose asking price is reported to be closer to €45 million.

The gap between those two valuations places García firmly in the role of attainable, experienced option rather than marquee signing. Whether Diego Simeone views that positioning as a practical virtue or a limiting factor will likely determine how aggressively Atletico pursue the deal.

García’s numbers from the 2025-26 season make the interest straightforward to understand. He started 33 Bundesliga matches, featured in 12 Champions League games, and made five German Cup appearances — 50 official fixtures in total, covering 4,160 minutes with six goals and eleven assists. Sofascore ranked him the highest-rated midfielder in the Bundesliga, earning him a place in the league’s team of the season alongside Joshua Kimmich, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise.

That level of output across domestic and European competition fits the profile Atletico would want as a complement or replacement for Conor Gallagher in central midfield. García organises play efficiently, covers significant ground, and contributes directly to goals — qualities that align with the demands Simeone typically places on his midfielders.

The player himself has not pushed for an exit. Speaking to AS in February, García acknowledged contact had been made during the winter window but framed his position carefully: “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.” That suggests Atletico would need to present a compelling enough offer to shift both club and player from their current stance.