A Bayer Leverkusen star valued at €15m is closing in on a switch to Barcelona as the Blaugrana push to secure the Bundesliga breakout.
With uncertainties lingering over Joao Cancelo’s long-term future at the Camp Nou, Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has made bolstering the full-back options a top priority ahead of the summer window.
The club learned harsh lessons from injuries to Alejandro Balde earlier this season, exposing the need for reliable depth on the flanks to sustain Hansi Flick’s high-intensity system.
Deco, known for his shrewd market eye, has zeroed in on a former La Masia graduate who could provide that exact blend of experience, quality, and familiarity at a bargain price tag.
That player is Alejandro Grimaldo, the 30-year-old left-back currently shining at Bayer Leverkusen, where he has racked up nearly 300 appearances across the Bundesliga and Liga Portugal, as reported by Diario Sport.
Grimaldo’s contract runs until 2027, but reports indicate he could be prised away for as low as €15 million this summer—well below his €20 million release clause—thanks to internal dynamics at Bayer Leverkusen.
The club’s president, Fernando Carro, holds Leverkusen ties, potentially smoothing negotiations, while Grimaldo himself harbors a strong desire to return to Spain after years abroad.
At Leverkusen, he has evolved into a modern full-back: defensively astute yet offensively potent, with a knack for set-pieces and crossing that could unlock Barcelona’s attack.
His manageable salary aligns perfectly with the Blaugrana’s tight finances, avoiding the wage pitfalls that have plagued past deals.
Bayer Leverkusen, fresh off their unbeaten Bundesliga triumph, won’t block an exit if the price is right, especially with Grimaldo eyeing a homecoming.
Deco sees him as the ideal partner or alternative to Cancelo, adding competition and rotation without breaking the bank.
If talks advance as expected, this €15M coup could be one of Barcelona’s smartest moves, blending nostalgia with tactical nous.
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