Barcelona are considering the possibility of bringing back Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen, with Real Madrid also eyeing the left-back.
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Grimaldo could leave Leverkusen this summerBarca open to bringing back ex-academy starReal Madrid also have him on their radarFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to , Barcelona continue to closely monitor Grimaldo as a potential reinforcement for the left-back position as they aim to provide an adequate back-up to Alejandro Balde. The Leverkusen star, who developed in La Masia, is highly valued for his quality and understanding of the club’s playing philosophy.
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Although Barca are satisfied with Balde and Gerard Martin, there are concerns over the squad’s depth in high-stakes matches. Balde is the undisputed starter, excelling on both ends of the pitch, while the younger Martin impressed notably with two assists against Inter in the Champions League semi-final. However, relying on an inexperienced player like Martin in crucial matches is seen as a risk by the technical staff at the club. Given Grimaldo's adoption of the club's unique philosophy during his formative years, the Catalans believe that signing the Spanish international would be a sensible move.
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One thing that could complicate the deal for Barcelona is the fact that Grimaldo's ex-boss Xabi Alonso, who coached him for over two seasons, has recently become the head coach of Real Madrid. With Los Blancos hitting a stumbling block in their pursuit of Alvaro Carreras from Benfica, Grimaldo could be tempted to accept a call from Madrid and Alonso with the guarantee of becoming a starter.
gettyWHAT NEXT FOR ALEX GRIMALDO?
Grimaldo has a contract with Leverkusen until 2027 but is open to returning to La Liga. He reportedly has a release clause significantly lower than his €40 million (£34m/$46m) market value — estimated to be around €18m (£15m/$20m). It remains to be seen where the full-back heads next season.
