Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus eyeing former Barcelona defender on Bosman deal
Real Madrid have already secured the signing of Fran Garcia for the summer, with the former left-back set to return to the Santiago Bernabeu from Rayo Vallecano in a €5 million deal.
But, if a report from Mundo Deportivo is to be believed, Real Madrid could be in for another left-back, with SL Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo understood to be a subject of interest at the capital club.
Apart from Real Madrid, the report states that clubs like Chelsea, Juventus, and Valencia are also interested in signing the former Barcelona defender who will be a free agent in the summer transfer window.
Grimaldo has been at Benfica for over seven years now, having departed Barcelona in search of regular game-time. The 27-year-old has thrived in Portugal, racking up impressive numbers season after season, helping his team stay on top or close to the top regularly in the domestic competitions.
This season, Grimaldo has managed a tally of five goals and 11 assists from 41 appearances across all competitions for Benfica. The Portuguese giants are believed to be keen on renewing the Spaniard’s contract, but he could be on his way out, with no shortage of suitors.
Real Madrid have Ferland Mendy as their only natural left-back at the moment, with Garcia set to arrive to provide competition.
However, it must be noted that several club officials are allegedly unhappy with Mendy’s attacking ability and contributions. And with talks over his renewal not progressing, a sale could be on the cards.
That is where Grimaldo might enter the picture. The 27-year-old has experience at the highest level, has proven his pedigree, and would be arriving on a Bosman deal.
It, however, remains to be seen whether Real Madrid’s interest in the former Barcelona star is concrete. In case it is, Los Blancos would still have to beat off competition from heavyweights like Chelsea and Juventus.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid weighing up January move for €70 million-rated Arsenal midfielder – report
Real Madrid’s midfield is the one department where Jose Mourinho sees clear scope for improvement, especially given that the club did not sanction his wish for a top midfield signing in the summer.
While Bernardo Silva has chipped in as a handy option to feature in the deep midfield, the club still lacks a controlling and creative option who can glue the team together.
In that sense, there is a clear lacuna that Real Madrid need to address and Defensa Central brings to light that the club have opened up to a potential target.
Zubimendi emerges as a target
Indeed, the player in question is Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi who the club have seen as a target for a long time, and Real Madrid could even go on to sign him in January.
The Spanish international has not started off the new season well under Mikel Arteta and has primarily featured as a substitute. He does, thus, see a move to Madrid with good eyes in every sense.
Real Madrid, for their part, have not ruled out his signing as was reported in recent months and there is even a chance they seriously pursue him in the winter transfer window as a mid-season fix.
The possible fee
The Spanish outlet also add that Zubimendi’s move to Real Madrid could be completed for a fee similar to what Arsenal paid for the player for his transfer from Real Sociedad – €70 million.
Mourinho’s insistence on making a new midfield signing is no secret, and with a clear target now in mind, the board could well back him with the player he wishes.
Notably, however, even Chelsea are seriously interested in his signing.
So far, Federico Valverde has been Real Madrid’s mainstay in midfield, and Aurelien Tchouameni’s return will change the team’s dynamics in the department.
Neither player, however, offers the control and distribution skill set that the team direly lack.
A big part of whether or not the club pushes for Zubimendi, however, will depend on how the Valverde-Tchouameni combination plays out in the coming months. It is, after all, the manager’s first-choice combination for big games.
