Atletico Madrid have reportedly agreed personal terms with Bayer Leverkusen left-back Alex Grimaldo, according to Marca. The Spanish capital club are now focused on negotiating a fee with Leverkusen for the 30-year-old defender. A summer move appears increasingly likely as Grimaldo enters the final year of his contract with the Bundesliga side.
Grimaldo joined Leverkusen in 2023 after a successful spell with Benfica, where he won two Portuguese league titles and a Portuguese Cup. He quickly established himself as a key player for Xabi Alonso’s side, contributing significantly to their Bundesliga title win last season with his attacking prowess and solid defensive contributions. The Spaniard made 35 appearances across all competitions for Leverkusen in the 2023-24 campaign, scoring three goals and providing eight assists.
Atletico Madrid have been seeking to strengthen their left-back options, and Grimaldo’s experience and attacking capabilities make him an attractive target. The club reportedly view him as an upgrade to their current options in that position. Manager Diego Simeone is known for his preference for experienced and tactically versatile players, qualities Grimaldo possesses in abundance.
Leverkusen are believed to be seeking a fee of around €15 million for Grimaldo, reflecting his importance to the team and remaining contract length. The club may be willing to sell if the player does not commit to a contract extension, avoiding the risk of losing him for free next summer. Grimaldo has previously expressed his desire to return to Spain before the end of his career, making a move to Atletico a logical step for the player.
The potential arrival of Grimaldo would provide Atletico with another experienced option in a competitive La Liga, while Leverkusen would need to identify a suitable replacement to maintain the quality of their squad as they prepare to compete in the Champions League.
