Barcelona miss out on defensive target as Atletico Madrid strike €10m deal | OneFootball

Barcelona are planning to address their defensive options this summer, with left-back being a particular area of interest. Joao Cancelo’s return to Al Hilal, coupled with doubts over Alejandro Balde’s ability to be a starter, has led to the Catalans stepping up plans to sign a player for the position, and numerous names have been linked in recent weeks.

One of those has been Alejandro Grimaldo. Barcelona were informed that their former player would be available for transfer this summer, with Bayer Leverkusen keen to cash in now rather than lose him for free when his contract expires next summer. There has been some interest in the Spain international, but in the end, a move will not happen.

That’s because Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement in principle to sign Grimaldo, as per Cadena SER. Personal terms are already in place, and in the last 24 hours, a deal worth €10m has been done with Leverkusen, thus allowing the 30-year-old the chance to return to Spanish football 10 years after he left Barcelona for Benfica.

One less option to replace under-fire Balde

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Grimaldo did not feature high on Barcelona’s list of left-back targets, but regardless, there will be some disappointment at having missed out on a player that is well-regarded within Can Barca. It also means there is one less option on the market, which will become a bigger concern in the event that a Balde replacement is sought.

For the time being, Barcelona are still holding out for a permanent deal for Cancelo. He’s seen as the ideal player to compete with Balde once again, although talks with Al Hilal have been paused in recent weeks, with the Saudi Pro League side currently unsure whether they are prepared to part ways with the Portugal international during the upcoming summer transfer window.