Grimaldo could be the great bargain of the European summer.

Alejandro Grimaldo could be the true bargain of the European summer transfer market. The left-back from Bayer Leverkusen, with only one year left on his contract, is generating a frenzy among the continent’s top clubs, who see his potential transfer as an irresistible business opportunity. With a market value estimated below 12 million euros, Grimaldo could be the impactful signing that many wish to secure before the start of the new season.

German media have reported that giants like Juventus and Milan have already entered the race to secure the services of the Spanish footballer, but it is Barcelona that appears to be the most attentive, according to the newspaper Sport. The former player of Benfica has a clear desire to return to LaLiga, preferably through a formal approach from Barça or even Atlético de Madrid, who are also closely monitoring his future.

It is worth recalling that Barcelona came very close to finalizing the deal last summer, in an attempt to find an alternative for Alejandro Baldé. At the time, negotiations progressed to a preliminary agreement in the region of 15 million euros, but the deal ultimately fell through due to Gerard Martín’s refusal to leave. The central defender, who could have been used as a bargaining chip in a deal with Wolverhampton, decided to stay at the club, thus halting Grimaldo’s transfer at the last minute.

Despite the changes in the landscape since then, Barcelona’s interest remains alive. The Catalan club is planning a complete overhaul of its flanks, and the versatility of Gerard Martín, who can play both as a full-back and a center-back, has made him a key player in the squad. Meanwhile, Alejandro Baldé’s future remains uncertain, with the club open to listening to offers, although the young player has never shown a desire to leave Camp Nou.

Thus, the signing of Grimaldo is directly linked to Baldé’s departure. If the young Barcelona academy graduate stays, the arrival of the former Benfica player will be ruled out. However, if Baldé is indeed sold, Grimaldo will emerge as a valid option, even though he is not the absolute priority of the sporting management. Another target that appeals to the Catalan leadership is Cambiaso from Juventus, but his signing would require a much higher investment, around 30 million euros, to secure immediate starting status.

The summer transfer market promises to be lively, and Grimaldo’s potential transfer could be the surprise deal, offering value and quality at an affordable price, that could shift the balance of the most powerful teams in Europe. The coming months will be crucial to determine whether the left-back returns to Spain or heads to another major project in Italy or Germany. Whatever the outcome, Grimaldo is in the spotlight and will undoubtedly be one of the major stories of the transfer market.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.