Premier League trio Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Fulham like Alejandro Grimaldo but the Benfica ace is being tipped for a return to Barcelona instead.
With elite-level left-backs on short supply, it’s no wonder interest in Grimaldo is rising, his contract at the Estadio da Luz set to expire on July 1st.
One of Europe’s most underrated full-backs has five goals and 13 assists this season for a Benfica side cruising at the top of the Portuguese top-flight and preparing for a Champions League quarter-final clash with Inter Milan.
Benfica, O Jogo say, are determined to hang onto Grimaldo. It seems they are fighting a losing battle, however, Fulham and Nottingham Forest already holding talks ahead of what is likely to be a fierce battle for the 27-year-old’s signature (The Athletic).
Ambitious, top-four-chasing Newcastle is another potential destination. Eddie Howe’s side appear to be targeting a more creative, attack-minded left-back. And Grimaldo – a man with nearly 20 goal contributions this season alone – certainly fits the bill.
Could Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo return to Barcelona?
“He is a player who has evolved a lot. I played with him at Barcelona and I never thought I could reach this level,” AEK Larnaca ace and La Masia graduate Luis Gustavo Ledes tells Bola Branca.
“I really like to watch him. He is in the focus of many great teams. I don’t know what his future is, but Benfica are very lucky to have him. I don’t know if they will be able to hold onto him for a long time.
“At the moment, he is one of the best full-backs in Europe.”
Fabrizio Romano reports that, with Jordi Alba, Marcos Alonso and rising star Alejandro Balde already at Xavi’s disposal, a return to the Camp Nou is unlikely as things stand.
Ledes, however, believes that there may still be a place at Barcelona for Grimaldo, who rose through the ranks but departed without ever making a La Liga appearance.
“I think it would be easy for him to return to Spain and Barcelona,” Ledes adds. “The club is in the process of being rebuilt. And it would be the easiest time for him to come back and assert himself.
“If (Grimaldo) returned to Barcelona, it would be a joy for me. The squad would improve. I’m rooting for him and for what’s best for him.”
