Arsenal opted against bringing Alex Grimaldo to the Premier League last summer with the Benfica left-back now a target for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, Fabrizio Romano tells Caught Offside.
With 18 wins and three draws, Benfica remain undefeated since the appointment of former PSV Eindhoven and Bayer Leverkusen coach Roger Schmidt at the Estadio da Luz.
Former Barcelona youngster Grimaldo has certainly played his part in such a remarkable run of form, providing four assists in all competitions and scoring one of the finest goals in the Champions League group-stages; a long-range rocket against Maccabi Haifa.
“Since the beginning of the season, he’s been playing at a very high level. I think he’s extraordinary. Full of class,” Roger 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. As you know, (speculation) is part of football. It’s the players who have to make their own decisions. I asked him to stay more years at Benfica. There are decisions the player makes.”
Newcastle United could sign Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo after Arsenal snub
With his contract expiring in the summer of 2023, the prospect of losing a player at the peak of his powers for a fraction of his £50 million release clause threatens to dampen the high spirits in the Portuguese capital.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, transfer expert Rudy Galetti explains, would relish the prospect of working with Grimaldo at St James’ Park. The manager and the full-back share the same agent.
Inter Milan, Napoli and Manchester City are also watching the situation closely. Juventus will to offer the 27-year-old a prospective fresh start in Serie A too.
One club expected to remain absent from the discussions, however, are Mikel Arteta’s Premier League table-toppers Arsenal.
“Grimaldo was offered to Arsenal last summer,” Romano explains. “But they decided to proceed with (Oleksandr) Zinchenko as their priority target.
“Now many clubs are following him as it’s a big opportunity on the market. But there are no negotiations ongoing yet. Juventus have sent their scouts to follow Grimaldo in the last few months.”
Zinchenko eventually joined in a £32 million deal from Manchester City; reuniting with Pep Guardiola’s former assistant at the Emirates Stadium.
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