In FC Barcelona's offices, the roadmap that Deco and company have been planning for months for the upcoming summer transfer market is already underway. In this regard, one of the Portuguese director's priorities is the left-back position, where Alejandro Balde has raised doubts in some parts of the last season. Despite being one of the club's great future bets, the technical management believes he needs direct competition to challenge him and allow him to evolve.
The lack of viable alternatives in that position has affected the Catalan team at key moments of the season. Jordi Alba left without a consolidated replacement, and although Balde has taken on responsibilities since then, his youth and some ups and downs suggest reinforcing the left flank with a consolidated profile. Hansi Flick has quickly conveyed this need to the offices: the left-back must be reinforced urgently to ensure a high competitive level throughout the season.
The great favorite
Amid the search for a reliable reinforcement, Alejandro Grimaldo's name has gained a lot of prominence. The current Bayer Leverkusen player has excelled in Germany under Xabi Alonso's guidance, and his profile perfectly fits what Barça currently needs. At 29 years old, the Spanish left-back trained at La Masia is experiencing his best moment and has the conditions to complement and compete with Balde: experience, quality, and knowledge of the style.
According to sources close to the club, Deco has already made preliminary moves to understand the player's situation. Grimaldo knows Barça's environment perfectly and would welcome a return to Camp Nou, while Leverkusen values him at around 40 million. If the Catalan club manages to close some strategic sales, the operation is seen as viable and a priority within the planning of the sports management.
The ideal profile for Flick
Grimaldo has shown great versatility this season, playing both in a back four and in systems involving wing-backs, something that could be very useful for the German coach. Flick and his coaching staff want a much more versatile and tactically flexible Barça, so they see the Spanish left-back as a market opportunity. Additionally, his ability to join the attack, assist, and create play makes him a valuable asset for any team looking to associate on the field.
Grimaldo's performance in the Bundesliga has been key to Leverkusen's historic title and their presence in the final of the last UEFA Europa League. Therefore, at Barça, they believe he can transfer that level to the Catalan club without problems. Beyond sports performance, his return would also be a symbolic move: a youth player returning as a stellar player, ready to face a new challenge with the blue and garnet jersey.