Liverpool has been tentatively linked with a swoop for a Bayer Leverkusen invincible who manager Xabi Alonso recommended to Spain for Euro 2024 . The former Reds midfielder worked wonders with the German club last season but some of his star performers could leave this summer.
The likes of Granit Xhaka, Florian Wirtz, Jonathan Tah and Jeremie Frimpong all shone for the Bundesliga outfit as they won a league and cup double, going undefeated the whole season in domestic football. But one star who perhaps didn't get quite as much of the limelight as the aforementioned quartet has been the subject of Liverpool transfer whispers.
It was first reported back in April that the Reds had joined the race for Leverkusen left wing-back Alex Grimaldo, with Football Transfers also claiming that Arsenal and Bayern Munich had registered their interest in the 28-year-old.
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Grimaldo played his own major part in Leverkusen's remarkable success in 2023-24, featuring the most out of any of his teammates with 51 appearances across the campaign. The Spaniard also registered 12 goals and 20 assists in all competitions as his side won both the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal, as well as reaching the Europa League final.
A first season in Germany couldn't have gone better for the Spaniard, having arrived from Benfica on a free transfer in May 2023. Grimaldo had in fact made a name for himself at the Portuguese giants, helping them to win four league titles across a seven year spell.
His early season form also earned him a first call-up to Spain's senior squad, not long after Alonso had recommended the Spanish FA take a look at the versatile full back. Speaking in October last year amid calls for Grimaldo to be selected, Alonso said: "I'd certainly recommend that. It would be totally deserved; he [also] played really well at Benfica and he has the quality."
The following month, Grimaldo was called up to Spain's squad for the first time ahead of their Euro 2024 qualifiers against Cyprus and Georgia. Naturally, he provided an assist on his debut against the former six days later in a 3–1 away victory.
Grimaldo has gone on to make six appearances for Luis de la Fuente's side and was named in the final squad for Euro 2024. The Spaniard played the full 90 minutes of La Roja's 1-0 victory over Albania in their final group stage game, before coming off the bench to play 24 minutes in the 4-1 victory over Georgia in the Last 16.
Boasting both defensive and attacking qualities, as well as a knack for dead-ball situations, Grimaldo could be the perfect addition to Liverpool's side. Admittedly, the Reds already have a perfectly functioning left back in Andy Robertson , while Luis Diaz is more than capable on the left wing, but an interest remains nonetheless.
Grimaldo is only one year into his four-year contract, however, and is valued at $49million (£39million/€45million) on Transfermarkt. The Spaniard would not come cheap and it might be tough to convince him to move to somewhere he won't be a guaranteed starter every week.
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