The need for a left-back at Leeds United is growing greater and greater, as the weeks go by – but the perfect option has just emerged on West Ham’s transfer radar, in the form of Benfica defender Alex Grimaldo.
Grimaldo, 26, is easily the best left-back in Portuguese football and there is no doubt, that if he moved to one of Europe’s biggest leagues, he would thrive. A Champions League-proven player, with three Liga NOS titles.
Clocking up 247 appearances for Benfica since joining in 2016, he has had a hand in a whopping 69 goals. Scoring 19 himself, he has laid on 50 assists. It is criminal that he has never won a senior Spain cap.
But if he impresses in the Premier League, that would surely change. West Ham are interested according to a report from Dean Jones, while Manchester City have also been offered the left-back this summer.
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Leeds need Grimaldo: On West Ham radar
What makes him perfect for Leeds, is the price. Reports indicate that a fee of just £15million would tempt Benfica into a sale, given Grimaldo has entered the final 12 months of his contract. A bargain, for one of Europe’s best.
As aforementioned, the need for a left-back is growing in Yorkshire. Stuart Dallas is out until the new year, Junior Firpo has struggled during his first 12 months at Leeds – and he is currently injured.
Leif Davis has gone to Ipswich. It means Pascal Struijk is likely to start at left-back on Saturday against Wolves – but he is naturally a centre-back, or a midfielder. Leeds need a left-back, even when Firpo is fit.
If they are going to pursue a left-sided defender, Grimaldo should be top of the list. Goals, assists, defensive maturity, winning mentality, still only 26 and all for £15million. An absolute no-brainer, if possible this summer.
In other news, Wolves cannot let Nottingham Forest sign £16m ace Bruno Lage needs