Alejandro Grimaldo can count on serious interest from Barcelona, so knows Mundo Deportivo to be revealed on Wednesday. According to the Spanish newspaper, the management of the 26-year-old left-back of Benfica, who went through the Barcelona youth academy and reached the B-team of the Catalans, has already been contacted. Grimaldo is with Benfica until mid-2023, which means that a transfer fee will have to be paid this summer.
Barcelona has therefore recently obtained information from the agent of the Spanish fullback about Grimaldo’s availability and ambitions. There will be further talks between all parties involved in the short term, the Spanish newspaper said above. Trainer Xavi wants to increase competition for the now 33-year-old Jordi Alba, who has been the regular left back of Barcelona for many years. After this season, a player must be added for that position, according to the coach.
Grimaldo is high on Xavi’s list because he is already familiar with Barcelona’s way of playing. The coveted left back made 92 games in Barcelona-B, but never made playing minutes in the main squad. In the summer of 2016, Grimaldo chose Benfica, which deposited 1.5 million euros at the time. Mundo Deportivo expects the Portuguese to be able to sell him for ten million euros six years later. Barcelona negotiated a 15% resale percentage on the transfer. Grimaldo can extend his contract with Benfica, but does not seem to be planning to do so given the interest from Barcelona.
The Barcelona-trained Grimaldo made a big impression in the group stage of the Champions League earlier this season, when Benfica beat his former employer 3-0. The left back also participated in the duels with Ajax (2-2 and 0-1 victory) in the eighth final of the billion-dollar ball. His direct opponent Antony failed to score in both European encounters. For Benfica, the Champions League adventure ended in the quarterfinals against Liverpool.
According to Mundo Deportivo In addition to Grimaldo, there are still a few names on the list of possible purchases, if a deal with the wing player is not possible. In addition to Nicolás Tagliafico, who has often been put forward, these are José Gayà (Valencia), Javi Galán (Celta de Vigo) and Alex Moreno (Real Betis). Tagliafico was ready to leave for Barcelona in January, but did not receive permission from Ajax at the time. The left back did, however, verbally agree with Marc Overmars, who has since left, that he may leave this summer for his purchase amount of four million euros. Tagliafico is fixed in Amsterdam until mid-2023.