Barcelona have reignited their pursuit of a Bayer Leverkusen star, aiming to bolster their squad depth with a familiar talent.
Barcelona are ramping up their plans for the 2025/26 season, with sporting director Deco outlining the key areas of depth needed as finances continue to be squeezed, with UEFA’s Financial Fair Play investigation still hanging over the club.
The aim is to find cheap players who can adopt Hansi Flick’s system while being able to compete for a place in the first-team squad.
It is now abundantly clear that the left-back position will be a priority area of depth, particularly as questions have arisen over a player in the left-back role with a great deal of experience in important matches.
As reported by Mundo Deportivo, the rampant pursuit of Alejandro Grimaldo could be revived, having left Barcelona as a talented youth player and done well at Benfica and, more recently, Bayer Leverkusen, and being 29 years old.
Grimaldo would offer useful competition and provide cover for Alejandro Balde in the squad. His track record of familiarity with Barcelona, a good attacking fullback on both attack and defence, is are key quality to take into consideration.
Barcelona’s need for a dependable left-back emerged from the previous season’s plan not to be in a position to rely on young players like Gerard Martin in extremely high-pressure matches (see: semi-final of the Champions League).
However, Grimaldo’s experience, attacking qualities, and defensive reliability can make up this aspect to shore up the backline.
In addition, and probably most crucially, is Grimaldo’s release clause of handily €15-18 million, which is a fraction of his staggering €40 million market value.
Thus, Grimaldo represents an attainable option for the financially cautious team.
Importantly, Grimaldo is thought to be keen on returning to the championship of La Liga, and Barcelona’s long-term interest in Grimaldo since his days at Benfica would give them an additional advantage.
With Deco anticipated to make up to four signings this summer, this potential return would be equally practical and for nostalgia purposes for the club in attempting to assert its European dominance.
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