West Ham United are reportedly looking at Alejandro Grimaldo as a potential alternative for Filip Kostic, who is uncertain about a move to London.
Speaking to Give Me Sport, journalist Dean Jones has claimed that West Ham United are eyeing 26-year-old SL Benfica left-back Alejandro Grimaldo as an option for this summer if they fail to sign Filip Kostic.
West Ham United have had a solid transfer window so far, having brought in Nayef Aguerd, Alphonse Areola, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca, and more recently, Maxwel Cornet. However, David Moyes is still not done with his transfer business, with the Hammers’ manager keen on recruiting a new left-back.
West Ham United have allowed Arthur Masuaku to join Besiktas on loan for the season and are left with just Aaron Cresswell as their natural left-back option. While Cornet can play in the position, he has been brought in to reinforce the frontline, which is why the east London club are looking to bring in a new left-sided full-back.
Filip Kostic of Eintracht Frankfurt has been West Ham’s priority target, with the Serbian international excelling in the left-wing-back role for the German club last season. However, recent reports claim that the 29-year-old is unsure about joining the Irons and is instead leaning towards a transfer to Juventus.
It has forced West Ham to look at other options in the market, with SL Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo popping up on their radars. A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, the 26-year-old left the Catalan club in 2016 in search of first-team football and has done well for himself in Portugal.
So far, Grimaldo has made 248 appearances for Benfica, in which he has netted 19 goals and set up 51 more for his teammates. However, the Spaniard is in the final year of his contract with the Portuguese giants and is keen on moving away from Lisbon. A return to Barcelona had been mooted but seems unlikely, while he was also offered to Manchester City, although nothing has come of it.
Now, West Ham have cast admiring glances toward the Spanish left-back, who could be available for as little as £5.8 million this summer due to his contract situation. However, Dean Jones clarifies that Grimaldo is among several options that the Hammers are looking at. So it remains to be seen if West Ham go after the former Barcelona ace or pursue other targets as they continue the search for a new left-back.
