Three options for Spaniards
©IMAGO
Although Alejandro Grimaldo still has a contract with Bayer 04 Leverkusen until 2027, there is not as much speculation about the future of any other Werkself professional. While the Spaniard recently skillfully avoided a question about an early extension, rumors about FC Bayern’s interest are growing. And then there is Grimaldo’s youth club FC Barcelona, which he has declared as a career goal in the past.
| rumor | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | A. Grimaldo |
 | ||||||||
Left defender | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
Last week there were increasing reports in Germany that the German record champions were interested. First the “Kicker” wrote about it, then the “Bild” also confirmed the fact that the offensive left-back is on the list in Munich. On the other hand, there has so far been no contact with the player or with the German champions of 2024.
Whether Bayern dares to make an advance will likely depend on the future of Raphaël Guerreiro, who has a similar profile and is only under contract until 2026. If the Portuguese does not extend or is not presented with a new contract, Grimaldo would be a high-quality and logical alternative, especially since the transfer fee for an over-30 professional would not go beyond the limit, as Leverkusen already felt last summer with Granit Xhaka (to AFC Sunderland for 15 million euros).
Bayer 04: Grimaldo evades question about extension – Barça still an issue?
The question of selling the next top performer at Bayer 04 is likely to come up by next summer at the latest, as Grimaldo’s contract extension seems unlikely. “The club hasn’t told me anything. We’re concentrating a lot on this season. I’m very happy here, things are going well, the club trusts me a lot. And that’s the most important thing in order to live in the here and now and get better every day,” the 30-year-old himself said about two weeks ago when asked about a new contract.
In the last transfer period, Grimaldo, like almost the entire squad, was one of the candidates for departure from Leverkusen, but unlike many other top performers, he did not leave – and went one better in terms of performance this season. Seven goals and four assists in 15 games are an impressive record that also caused enthusiasm in the TM community.
“I also find that absolutely admirable. It was an open secret that he could have imagined a move to Spain and had spoken to Real, Atlético and Barça. Not letting himself down is one thing, even though we are going through a brutal upheaval “Marsupilami.”
Grimaldo openly expressed his personal interest in moving to Spain in March: “Yes, that is a goal that I have. I have it very clearly in my head, the club knows it too. I want to return to Spain in the medium and short term, and I want to have the experience of living in Spain, because after all it is my country. I want to play there and enjoy the experience.” He is particularly fond of his former club FC Barcelona.
| rumor | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| A. Grimaldo |
| ||||||||
Left defender | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
In January 2016, Grimaldo left the Catalans for Benfica Lisbon without playing for the professionals. And as great as the incentive would be to extend the contract in Leverkusen and continue working on your own legendary status, the incentive to wear a Barcelona jersey one day would also be great. According to “Mundo Deportivo”, the club is also open to a return. On the left defensive side, Barça is well staffed with Alejandro Balde (22) and Gerard Martín (23) – but Grimaldo’s qualities have also been evident in other positions for years.