Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that West Ham are considering a move to sign Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo – a player that was recently offered to Premier League champions Manchester City.
Grimaldo, 26, joined Benfica in January 2016 from Barcelona’s academy and has since become one of the Portuguese side’s mainstays. In little over six years, he has clocked up an enormous 247 outings for Benfica.
Defensively solid, Grimaldo has clocked up 19 goals and 50 assists form the left side of the defence. A real talent, but a player that is also in the final 12 months of his Benfica contract. The Liga NOS side will be keen to sell.
Clearly, he is not signing a new deal and Benfica will not want to lose him on a free. A report from the i claims that Manchester City have been offered Grimaldo, with a fee of £15million said to be enough for the defender.
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However, City might not be the only Premier League club after his signature. Jones claims West Ham are keen, but he is only one of a number of targets the Hammers are looking at. An interesting few weeks ahead.
“I know they really like Alex Grimaldo. Linked to Man City. He’s one of the top names they’ve looked at. There’ll be others too. Maybe this is part of the problem. They go after too many players at one time and end up with no one.”
West Ham considering Grimaldo: Also offered to Manchester City
West Ham have had an excellent summer so far. Two real signals of intent from Moyes to land Nayef Aguerd and Gianluca Scamacca – the latter, Italy’s starting striker. West Ham beat PSG to nab his signature.
So, if they are to continue in the same vain, Grimaldo would be the next ideal addition. The Hammers do need a left-back; Aaron Cresswell now well into his thirties and Arthur Masuaku joining Besiktas on a loan to buy.
For £15million, and still only 26, West Ham would find it very difficult to bring in a better left-back. The issue they have is that, if Manchester City come calling, a move to Pep Guardiola’s side might prove too tempting.
Ex-Benfica sporting director, now at Roma, Tiago Pinto claimed in 2021: “one of the best five left-backs in Europe.”
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