Barcelona Agrees To €40 Million Fee For Former Defender
Barcelona may be gearing up for one of the most emotional returns of the summer transfer window. Reports from Sky Sports Germany suggest the club is closing in on a deal to re-sign Alejandro Grimaldo from Bayer Leverkusen. This would reunite the Spanish left-back with the club where it all began for him.
Grimaldo has been one of the best left-wing backs for the past few seasons, having played a vital role in Leverkusen’s incredible Bundesliga title win under Xabi Alonso. Now, he might be heading back to familiar surroundings, with a fee of €30–40 million being discussed between both clubs.
La Masia Graduate Comes Full Circle
It is hard to ignore the narrative here. Grimaldo’s roots are deeply embedded in Barcelona’s famed academy, La Masia. He developed as a teenager and once held the record for being the youngest player in Spain’s second division. He was just 15 years and 349 days old when he featured for Barcelona B against Cartagena in 2011.
Of course, that record was later broken by Lamine Yamal, another La Masia prodigy who is now part of the senior team, but it speaks volumes about Grimaldo’s early promise. His Barcelona dream was paused when he moved to Benfica in 2016 for regular minutes. It proved to be a smart move. In Portugal, he earned a reputation as a reliable, attack-minded full-back and played over 300 games for the Lisbon club. Then came his switch to Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, where under Alonso’s 3-4-2-1, he started operating as a left-wing back and took his game to a new level.
The 29-year-old scored 32 goals last season and helped Leverkusen almost clinch a treble. Having won both the Bundesliga title unbeaten and the DFB Pokal, they just missed out on European glory after losing 3-0 to Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Grimaldo has been one of the Bundesliga’s standout defenders and has been devastating going forward, as evidenced by the stats. Along with fellow wingback Jeremie Frimpong, he consistently gets goals and assists. Both wingbacks proved to be pivotal in Leverkusen putting an end to Bayern Munich’s endless dominance. His performances have earned him a place in the Spanish national team and possibly a long-awaited return home.
‘It’s the Club I Wanted to Play for Since I Was a Child’
For Grimaldo, the move to Barcelona is more than just a football decision. It’s personal. His love for the club has always stayed in the Spaniard‘s heart. Something he made abundantly clear earlier this year during an interview with El Periódico.
“Yes, that is definitely a goal I have. I have it very clear in my mind, and the club (Leverkusen) knows it too. I want to return to Spain in the medium to short term and experience living there because, after all, it’s my country. I want to play there and enjoy the experience.”
He went on to say, “I grew up at La Masia. It’s the club where I grew up as a player and as a person, and it’s the club I wanted to play for since I was a child.” That kind of passion can’t be taught; for Barcelona, it adds extra value. They wouldn’t just be signing an experienced left-back, but someone who truly understands the club’s DNA.
A Smart Move For Barça?
With Alejandro Balde already in the squad and becoming one of the best full-backs in the world, some might wonder if Barcelona needs another left-back. But depth and competition are vital for a team competing on multiple fronts like they have been this season.
Grimaldo brings not just quality but also experience, leadership, and a European pedigree, all of which will be crucial as Xavi (or whoever is in charge next season) builds toward a more balanced and battle-hardened side.
The fact that Leverkusen may have a gentleman’s agreement allowing Grimaldo to leave if certain conditions are met makes the deal even more realistic. His current contract runs until 2027, but all signs point to flexibility on the German club’s end, especially with Grimaldo’s clear intentions to move back home.
From a financial standpoint, the proposed €30–40 million fee may seem steep. Still, Barcelona’s recent injury woes and lack of squad depth, such as Balde’s and Jules Kounde’s injuries, suggest it’s a justifiable investment. In Grimaldo, they’d be getting a player already in peak form, with no adjustment period required.
Final Thoughts
After years of proving himself across Europe, the time is finally right for Grimaldo to return to the club that shaped him. The potential deal isn’t just a romantic story; it could be a smart, football-first decision by Hansi Flick and Barcelona’s board. They’re hunting for a treble and pushing deep into it. The successful yet tiring season showcased how important having good depth is, especially when competing for every trophy.
Only time will tell if this move materializes, but if it does, expect Camp Nou to welcome back one of their own, not as a prospect but as a proven winner. However, is he willing to become Alejandro Balde‘s backup? The summer will be interesting for the Catalans, with the transfer window.
