Former Barcelona academy ace not ruling out return amid rumours – ‘Have a lot of affection’ | OneFootball

Over the years, former Barcelona academy product Alejandro Grimaldo has been linked with a return to the club regularly.

The 29-year-old left the club back in 2016 to join Benfica in search of first-team opportunities and grew into a quality player in Portugal.

Grimaldo moved to Germany in 2023, signing for Bayer Leverkusen, where he tasted further success under Xabi Alonso.

With the summer window on the horizon, the left-back is once again being linked with an exit, with Barcelona touted as a potential destination as director Deco is keeping an eye on possible reinforcements at left-back.

Grimaldo not closing the door

Amidst the fresh links of a return to Barcelona, Grimaldo has not ruled out a move back to his boyhood club in the summer.

Speaking to Jijantes (h/t Mundo Deportivo), the Bayer Leverkusen defender expressed his openness to a return to the Spotify Camp Nou.

“Barça is the team I’ve played for throughout my youth career and I have a lot of affection for them,” noted Grimaldo.

Grimaldo is being linked with a return to Spain. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)

Grimaldo, however, also acknowledged interest from other clubs and did not dismiss the possibility of returning to La Liga with either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid.

“I am not saying no to anything, they are all great teams, I don’t hate any of them. I’m not going to say that Madrid are a bad team, they are great teams and that’s it. But I’ve already said that I’ve spent all my youth at Barça and have a lot of affection for them.”

Grimaldo also clarified that his market value is not the €40 million listed on Transfermarkt.

“People always look at market value, but the market value is not real. I went there on a free transfer, so there are always options,” he explained.

Grimaldo remains under contract with Bayer Leverkusen until June 2027.