Italian outlet JMania claim Leeds United are on the ‘front row’ to sign Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo on a free transfer in the coming months – despite facing competition from the likes of Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan.
Grimaldo, 27, is just eight games away from clocking up an enormous 300 games for Benfica after joining the club back in 2016. It comes after leaving Barca without a senior outing, instead playing 92 times for the second string.
This season, Grimaldo has produced one of his best seasons in a Benfica shirt. Playing 43 times for Benfica this term, he has had a hand in 18 goals. Indeed, the two-time Spain U21 star has scored five times, creating 13 goals.
The need for a left-back at Leeds has lessened due to the return to form of Junior Firpo. Pascal Struijk remains an option on the left side of the defence, but is naturally better in the middle. So, there is still that need for Grimaldo.
Leeds are on the front row to sign Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo
It would be a real coup for Leeds to win the race and sign Grimaldo. Of course, staying in the Premier League is key. But, if Leeds could sign a player of Grimaldo’s stature – ahead of the size of the clubs listed – it would be a coup.
He is certainly an improvement on Firpo, who has been good for Leeds in the last few weeks. Indeed, Firpo got a crucial winner against Southampton – the first goal of Javi Gracia’s reign, securing the first win under the Spaniard.
But if there is even a sniff that Leeds have a chance of securing Grimaldo this summer, they have got to go for it. It is unlikely that Leeds will be the only Premier League club looking to land the Spanish defender. He looks set to go.
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