Bayer Leverkusen has moved closer to securing a replacement for departing left-back Alejandro Grimaldo, reaching an agreement with Serie A club Napoli for the transfer of Spanish defender Miguel Gutiérrez, according to multiple widespread reports across German and Austrian sports media outlets including Transfermarkt and Sky Sport Deutschland.
The reported transfer fee for the 24-year-old fullback sits at approximately 30 million euros. The deal addresses an impending vacancy on the left side of Leverkusen’s defense, providing manager Xabi Alonso—or his successor—with a direct, high-profile successor for Grimaldo.
Negotiations Reach Advanced Stages Under Rolfes
Bayer Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes addressed the status of the negotiations during recent media availability, acknowledging that the clubs were closing in on an agreement while maintaining standard diplomatic caution. “Es ist nah, aber…”—or “It is close, but…”—Rolfes remarked to Kicker, signaling that final structural details between Leverkusen and Napoli remained to be finalized before official confirmation.
Reporting from LAOLA1 and Joyn corroborated that the framework of the 30-million-euro transaction is essentially complete.
Filling the Grimaldo Void on the Left Flank
Financial Framework and Market Context
Official announcements from both Bayer Leverkusen and Napoli are anticipated once all contractual formalities between the clubs and the player are concluded.
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