Reported Manchester City target Alex Grimaldo has opened up about a potential move away from Benfica, but the fullback is only keen on a return to FC Barcelona.
In an interview with Sport, the Spanish left-back revealed that he couldn’t reject a chance to return to his boyhood club if the opportunity presented itself. City are reportedly interested in Grimaldo as per La Razon.
The 26-year-old defender is one of the top left-backs in Europe outside of the top-five leagues. Grimaldo came through at Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy. But the defender is yet to make the move from Portugal to a tougher division.
As reported by Record via Sports Illustrated, Grimaldo has a €60m (£50m) release clause, a fee which City could easily meet should they wish to sign the defender.
But according to the defender himself, he would only move to Barcelona if given the chance. Grimaldo said: “Barca is my home, I would never say no.
“It is a scenario that when I left it was never a see you never, it was a see you later. It’s my home, I’ve been there for eight years.”
Indeed, Barcelona’s financial situation and the impressive form of Jordi Alba could make a move for Grimaldo near-impossible for the Catalan giants. And this could present City with a chance to swoop in for the defender.
With the left-back position an area that could do with a natural figurehead, Grimaldo could be the perfect player to take up the mantle when the January transfer window opens for business.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
