FC Barcelona has clear market priorities. In principle, the Azulgrana team will finalize, as everything seems to indicate, the incorporation of Joan García to bolster the goal. Subsequently, the club is expected to strengthen its sports project with a top-level left winger, with Luis Díaz (Liverpool) as the favorite, but with other names on the radar, such as Nico Williams, from Athletic Club, or Ademola Lookman, from Atalanta.
Once the Catalan team reinforces those positions, everything indicates that they plan to make another stellar incorporation. According to Mundo Deportivo, the team from the Condal City will focus on reinforcing the left back, and they would already have defined the ideal player for it: Alejandro Grimaldo, a youth player from Culé who currently plays for Bayer Leverkusen.
From MD it is asserted that, although Barça is satisfied with the performance of Alejandro Balde this season —a regular starter in the position— and Gerard Martín —a frequent alternative—, the sports management considers it necessary to incorporate a player with proven experience. And what better option than Grimaldo, who has accumulated significant experience after his time at SL Benfica (303 matches) and Bayer Leverkusen (99), in addition to his participation with the Spanish national team.
Grimaldo and his desire to return to Barcelona
In this sense, the Barcelona team would be assessing Grimaldo's willingness to return to Barcelona, a club with which he never debuted in the first team, but to which he has expressed his desire to return on more than one occasion. Even, in a recent interview with Jijantes, he reiterated his affection for the Culé team, stating: "Barça is the team where I spent my entire youth career and I have a lot of affection for them." So, probably, the Valencian would be open to returning.
To this are added the rumors that place the former Benfica player willing to change scenery this summer, considering the change of sports project that Leverkusen faces after the departure of Xabi Alonso. Little by little, the 'Die Werkself' has begun to disarm: Jonathan Tah has already left for Bayern Munich, Jeremie Frimpong to Liverpool, and Florian Wirtz could also follow that path.
It would not be strange, then, that Grimaldo considers that it is the ideal moment to embark on a new adventure, with special interest in returning to Spanish football.
How much would Alejandro Grimaldo's signing cost?
At this point, it will be necessary to see how the market moves around Grimaldo, whose value according to Transfermarkt is €40M. However, if any club decides to go for him, they could sign him for much less. This was hinted at by the full-back himself in the aforementioned interview in Jijantes, where he pointed out:
"People always look at the market value, but the market value is not real. I was free there, so there are formulas"
Message that emphasizes that, in case Barça —or another club— were interested in him, the price would be much more accessible. Some sources even suggest that the operation could close for around €20M as a ceiling.
A price that would be a bargain for one of the most sought-after full-backs of the moment. Grimaldo comes from completing a stellar season with Leverkusen: four goals and 13 assists in 48 matches, showing himself as a winger with great offensive capabilities.
He is a full-back who knows how to exploit his side with constant projections, very fast, technical, with a remarkable vision of the game, creativity, associative capacity and good hitting ability, which he does not hesitate to use. All this is complemented by a solid defensive capacity.
Real Madrid and Atlético, on the lookout for Grimaldo
Will Barcelona go for his signing? For the moment, it is not entirely clear. What does seem evident is that the Valencian is a coveted asset, also arousing the interest of Real Madrid —who would have him as a second option after Álvaro Carreras— and Atlético de Madrid. Will any of them step forward? Only the market has the answer.
- 👉 Don't miss the latest news from the FC Barcelona 2025 transfer market at FCBN!