Atlético Madrid make contact with Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo | OneFootball

As Atlético Madrid’s search for a left-back continues, the Spanish club have turned their attention towards Bayer Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo (30). According to a report by Matteo Moretto, Atlético have made contact with the Spaniard, who scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions in 2025/26.

Grimaldo has been open about his desire to one day play in LaLiga, and that could arrive in the form of Atlético, who are also interested in Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella. “I’ve always said it: I want to return to LaLiga,” explained Grimaldo. “That’s one of my goals. I’m very happy at Bayer Leverkusen, but I’ve always said that I want to return to LaLiga, and some day I will.”

Grimaldo last went public with his intention to play in his homeland in August 2025, telling Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. “It doesn’t have to be this year. It could be next year. It could be in two years. It could even be in five years.”

However, with no UEFA Champions League football in the upcoming season for Leverkusen after finishing sixth and a transitional summer with the departure of Kasper Hjulmand and appointment of compatriot Carles Martínez Novell, now could be an opportunity for Grimaldo – who has scored 30 goals and created a further 45 in 145 games across all competitions – to jump ship, while his contract until 2027 means this summer, unless he signs an extension, is the last opportunity Bayer will receive a fee for their prized asset.

GGFN | Daniel Pinder