Estadio Capital do Movel, Pacos de Ferreira, Portugal - January 26, 2023. Benfica's Alejandro Grimaldo celebrates scoring.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in a move to bring Alejandro Grimaldo to the Premier League, according to reports.
The Lowdown: Free transfer available
Julen Lopetegui made six new signings in January, including Craig Dawson at centre-back, but given his team’s struggles this season, further defensive reinforcements may be needed in the summer if they manage to retain their top-flight status.
Benfica left-back Grimaldo will be out of contract at the end of the season and therefore available on a free transfer having not put pen to paper on fresh terms, and it appears that he has been identified as an ideal target by the hierarchy at Molineux.
The Latest: Wolves eyeing Grimaldo
According to Football Insider, Wolves and Newcastle have both ‘joined’ Leeds and Real Madrid in the race for Grimaldo’s signature this summer.
The Old Gold are ‘interested’ in completing a deal for the 27-year-old alongside their fellow top-flight rivals, with a move to England ‘not off the cards’ despite the attention from La Liga.
The Verdict: Ait-Nouri replacement?
Lopetegui was reportedly willing to let Rayan Ait-Nouri depart on loan in January amid interest from Real Betis, so should the French youngster exit in the summer, Grimaldo would appear to be the perfect left-back replacement at Wolves.
The Spaniard has clocked up 13 goal contributions across all competitions this season and currently ranks in the 99th percentile among positional peers outside of Europe’s top five leagues for attack-minded metrics such as expected assisted goals and progressive passes received.
The Benfica gem has also been likened to none other than Brazil legend Roberto Carlos by journalist Mootaz Chehade, which just goes to show how highly he is regarded.
Furthermore, Grimaldo shares the same agent as Max Kilman, so this could give Wolves a potential advantage over their competitors in the battle for the 27-year-old’s services.
Would you rather have Grimaldo or Ait-Nouri?
Grimaldo
Ait-Nouri
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