Man City urged to sign ‘fantastic’ Alex Grimaldo as Newcastle hold talks

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Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Newcastle United like Alex Grimaldo but Premier League champions Manchester City should make a move of their own, former Benfica defender Diogo Luis tells CNN. 

Given Grimaldo’s importance to Roger Schmidt’s Portuguese giants – and considering just how impressive he has been under the former Bayer Leverkusen boss – his summer departure will be a big blow.

Grimaldo, The Athletic say, will leave on a free after deciding against extending his contract. Nottingham Forest and Fulham are already in talks, while Newcastle have reportedly made their interest known in conversation with the 27-year-old’s representatives (AS). 

But Luis believes there is another top-flight side who have space in their squad for one of Europe’s most technically-gifted left-backs. 

Could Manchester City sign Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo?

“Clubs will see Grimaldo’s consistency over the years,” says Luis. “Grimaldo is having a great season. Manchester City don’t have a left-back. They can sign Grimaldo. Why not?”

Grimaldo, who started his career in Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy, has five goals and 13 assists this term. He is a superb set-piece taker too; scoring a stunning Champions League strike in a 6-1 group-stage hammering of Maccabi Haifa. 

And Luis is surprised that, until now, offers have been in short supply.

“Could it be that the clubs are all blind and don’t see that Grimaldo is clearly a fantastic player?” Luis wonders. Perhaps, his consistency over the last eight years has not been the same.”

“Pedro Porro cost 45 million (when leaving Sporting Lisbon for Tottenham Hotspur). Did Pedro Porro have as much importance as Grimaldo does at Benfica?” 

Newcastle’s interest raises further questions about Matt Targett’s future at St James’ Park. The summer signing from Aston Villa has struggled for regular minutes either side of that niggling heel injury. 

“Since the beginning of the season, he’s been playing at a very high level. I think he’s extraordinary. Full of class,” Schmidt tells Record of Grimaldo.

“He can defend and attack, and he’s a very reliable player, with a very good attitude. Physically, he’s strong. It’s important to have him in the team and I hope he stays at Benfica. I asked him to stay more years at Benfica.”