FC Barcelona is on the verge of signing a €25m-rated Bayer Leverkusen defender as negotiations enter the final phase.
The Catalan club is keen to strengthen its defensive width after a campaign that has exposed issues on the flanks, and the German side’s versatile full‑back has emerged as a top‑priority target.
With Hansi Flick pushing for a reliable, attack‑minded defender who can also contribute to Barcelona’s build‑up play, talks around the transfer are now entering a more advanced phase.
The player in question is Álex Grimaldo, the 30‑year‑old Spaniard who has built a strong reputation at Bayer Leverkusen since his move from Benfica.
Grimaldo has been a key figure in Leverkusen’s recent success, combining solid defensive work with a powerful left foot and intelligent movement in the final third.
His ability to provide width, cut‑inside, and even chime in with goals from deep areas makes him an attractive fit for Barcelona’s expansive style, where overlapping full‑backs regularly link up with roaming wingers.
Barcelona’s interest is not new, with Grimaldo linked to the club in previous windows, but the current situation has added urgency.
The Blaugrana need fresh options at left‑back as they look to balance their squad and reduce reliance on a single profile, while Bayer Leverkusen appears increasingly open to negotiations if the financial terms are right.
Barcelona are ready to meet Grimaldo’s valuation, which is expected to be in the region of around €20–€25 million, and both sides are believed to be working through the details of a deal that could be announced before the end of the season.
If Grimaldo completes the move, he would immediately slot into a competitive full‑back unit alongside current starters, giving Flick more flexibility in his system.
For Barcelona, securing a proven, high‑level left‑back from a club of Leverkusen’s calibre would represent a significant upgrade and a strong statement of intent ahead of what promises to be a busy transfer window.
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