It is well known that Bayer 04 are looking for a left-back. After a failed signing in the winter transfer window, Alejandro Grimaldo from Portuguese leaders and Champions League participants Benfica Lisbon is now a hot candidate for the summer.
Benfica’s left-back Alejandro Grimaldo is on a free transfer in the summer.
IMAGO/Gribaudi/ImagePhoto
They tried it in the summer and now also in the winter: A left-back of stature was and has been at the top of the list of Leverkusen transfer targets for a long time. And after both Rayo Vallecano’s Fran Garcia and Stuttgart’s Borna Sosa failed to sign in January, Bayer is now courting the next candidate: Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica Lisbon.
Grimaldo is free in the summer
The 27-year-old was shortlisted in winter. But the leaders of the Portuguese league had no interest in giving up the left foot, as they did not want to jeopardize the sporting goals in the league and the premier class. Bayer is now making a second attempt to sign the Spaniard, who was free in the summer, for the coming season.
Reputation as a dangerous free-kick taker
Grimaldo would be a strong solution for Bayer on the problem zone at the back left. The defender is considered to be defensively stable, but also good at opening the game. In addition, Grimaldo, who can also set accents on the offensive, has acquired a reputation as a dangerous free-kick taker in Portugal. This season he has four goals and two assists in 24 appearances in the Portuguese league (2/0) and the Champions League (2/2).
The sporting upgrade to current left-back Mitchel Bakker would of course be the former Spain U-21 international (two appearances). However, the deal for Leverkusen will by no means be easy. Grimaldo’s qualities are well known in the industry.
Not only Borussia from Dortmund was recently said to be interested in Grimaldo. BVB has a need because the Portuguese national player Raphael Guerreiro, who was not a candidate in Leverkusen at least in the winter transfer window, will be allowed to go on a free transfer in the summer.
