Bayer Leverkusen’s fullback search remains intriguing | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly pushing to complete the signing of Napoli left-back Miguel Gutiérrez as they seek a replacement for Alejandro Grimaldo. Sky Germany (as relayed by transfermarkt.de) and Matteo Moretto report that negotiations involving the 25-year-old Spaniard have reached an advanced stage. Fabrizio Romano further notes that Leverkusen have submitted an official offer to Napoli.

The Bundesliga outfit hopes to complete the transfer shortly, with German tabloid Bild estimating that Gutiérrez will cost between €20 million and €25 million. Gutiérrez remains under contract with Napoli through 2030 and presently carries an estimated market value of €22 million.

Leverkusen had initially been reported to be pursuing Marseille defender Facundo Medina as the leading candidate to replace Grimaldo. The Argentine remains under consideration, but Gutiérrez now appears to be the more advanced option.

Miguel and Medina offer contrasting profiles

The two left-back candidates represent fundamentally different types of players.

Medina is a defensively robust option capable of working at left-back or on the left side of central defence. The 27-year-old would provide a profile similar to former Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapié and could operate in either a back three or back four.

Gutiérrez instead offers considerably more attacking quality, something die Werkself could count on when Grimaldo played for them. The Spanish international left for Atlético Madrid earlier this summer after producing 30 goals and 45 assists in 145 competitive appearances for Germany’s red company team.

The former Real Madrid academy player established himself as one of La Liga’s most productive offensive full-backs during three seasons with Girona. He registered five goals and 16 assists in 98 Spanish top-flight appearances before joining Napoli in 2025.

Gutiérrez recorded one goal and one assist across 28 Serie A appearances during his first season in Italy. He can play as a conventional left-back, an advanced wing-back or farther forward on the left flank.

His creativity, set-piece quality and ability to move into central midfield leave new head coach Carles Martínez with a significant tactical vacancy.

Left-back choice could shape El Ouahdi pursuit

Leverkusen’s consideration of two contrasting candidates relates directly to Martínez’s tactical plans. The former Toulouse head coach reportedly intends to deploy one defensively oriented full-back alongside a more adventurous player on the opposite side.

Signing Medina would therefore make an attack-minded right-back more important. KRC Genk defender Zakaria El Ouahdi remains the leading candidate for that profile.

The 24-year-old Moroccan international offers exceptional attacking output from the right and remains under contract in Belgium through 2028. Leverkusen’s efforts to recruit him have not yet advanced as far as the Gutiérrez negotiations.

A Gutiérrez signing could instead prompt the club to pursue a more defensively secure option on the right.

Leverkusen currently have Arthur and veteran Lucas Vázquez available on that side, but no established first-choice left-back following Grimaldo’s departure.

Marseille would reportedly demand at least €25 million for Medina after investing around €20 million to recruit him from Lens. Napoli’s expected valuation of Gutiérrez lies in a similar range.

The decision will consequently be based less on price than on which tactical profile Martínez wants on the left.

Leverkusen are due to travel to their training camp in Blankenhain on Saturday and would ideally like their new left-back incorporated into the squad as soon as possible.

The advanced nature of the Gutiérrez talks currently places the Spaniard in pole position, with Medina remaining the defensive alternative should negotiations with Napoli fail.

GGFN | Peter Weis