Catalan giants Barcelona are reportedly contemplating a January move for 27-year-old Spanish left-back Alejandro Grimaldo.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Alejandro Grimaldo is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the January transfer window. Benfica might look to cash in on the 27-year-old left-back instead of losing him as a free agent next summer.
Alejandro Grimaldo has established himself as one of the most dependable left-backs in Europe since joining Benfica from Barcelona nearly seven years ago. The Spanish defender, a graduate of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has established a foothold at the Portuguese club.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a decent 2022/23 season thus far, chipping in with two goals and four assists in 20 appearances across all competitions. But Grimaldo has entered the final eight months of his contract, leaving Benfica in a spot of bother. Such a situation has captured the attention of Barcelona.
Barcelona might enter the market for a left-back in 2023 amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Jordi Alba. The veteran left-back has fallen down the pecking order at Spotify Camp Nou. And while Alba has produced a few impressive performances lately, including against Viktoria Plzen, his position remains under threat.
In addition, Marcos Alonso only signed a one-year contract when he joined Barcelona from Chelsea. So the Blaugrana might have to make sweeping changes to the left-back unit. Several left-backs, including Grimaldo, have thus emerged as viable targets for Barcelona. And the 27-year-old falls within the Catalan club’s budget.
While Barcelona splashed the cash in the summer transfer window, they are not out of the woods yet and will look for cost-effective signings in 2023. And the 27-year-old Spanish left-back might arrive at Camp Nou if Alba leaves in the January transfer window. Grimaldo will also be able to offer the best years of his career to the Blaugrana, thus making him an enticing option.
With Barcelona looking to tie Alejandro Balde to a new contract, the duo of Balde and Grimaldo might form the left-back unit for the foreseeable years. But with the 27-year-old Spanish left-back also a target for several other high-profile clubs, it will be interesting to see if Barcelona will win the race to sign him.
