Official | Bayer Leverkusen seal Miguel Gutiérrez capture | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen have officially confirmed the signing of Spanish left-back Miguel Gutiérrez from Napoli. The 25-year-old has signed a contract through 2031 and will wear the No. 3 shirt for die Werkself. As previously reported, Leverkusen will pay a guaranteed base transfer fee of approximately €26m. Bonuses could raise the total package to around €30m.

Gutiérrez arrives as the direct replacement for Alejandro Grimaldo, who joined Atlético Madrid last month. Leverkusen received an initial €22m for the experienced Spanish international, with bonuses potentially increasing that fee to €25m.

The former Real Madrid academy player joined Napoli from Girona for €18m last summer. He made 36 competitive appearances as the Italian club finished second in Serie A, including 28 league outings in which he registered one goal and one assist.

Gutiérrez previously demonstrated his attacking qualities during three seasons with Girona. The left-footer recorded five goals and 16 assists across 98 La Liga appearances and can operate either as a conventional left-back or an advanced wing-back.

Leverkusen had monitored the defender since his time in Real Madrid’s youth system. Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes noted that Gutiérrez would already have been the leading candidate had Grimaldo departed one year earlier.

Facundo Medina was also considered for the position, but Leverkusen ultimately selected the more attack-minded option. Gutiérrez will form part of a reconstructed left side alongside summer signing Afonso Moreira.

Simon Rolfes on Miguel Gutiérrez

“Miguel Gutiérrez is a skilled and attack-minded defender who fits well with our team,” Rolfes said. “With him, we’ve added a new, very invigorating element to our Werkself. Miguel is a great footballer, our absolute ideal choice for this position.”

Miguel Gutiérrez on joining Leverkusen

“The club has really impressed me over the past few years,” Gutiérrez said. “Bayer 04 has an excellent reputation in Italy and also in my home country of Spain.

“Above all, I always want to be successful, both nationally and internationally,” Gutiérrez continued. “Bayer Leverkusen, with its great team, gives me the best conditions to achieve that.”

GGFN | Peter Weis