Barcelona not convinced by former La Masia left back even on free transfer.
Alejandro Grimaldo, a former La Masia talent, has frequently been linked with a return to Barcelona, having made a name for himself at SL Benfica. With Jordi Alba approaching the later stages of his career, Grimaldo has long been considered a potential replacement, and the upcoming summer seemed like an opportune time for Barcelona to secure his signing, as Grimaldo's contract with Benfica is set to expire at the end of the season.
However, according to reports from Diario SPORT, Barcelona has decided against pursuing the signing of Grimaldo. The coaching staff is reportedly not convinced by the fullback's development and would prefer to explore other alternatives. Despite Grimaldo's extensive experience and technical abilities, the Barcelona coaches remain unconvinced by the 27-year-old's suitability for the team.
Instead of pursuing Grimaldo, Barcelona is said to be placing their faith in Alejandro Balde, a young talent who has recently emerged as a regular in the first team. Balde's promising performances could lead to him earning a new contract, indicating that Barcelona sees him as a potential long-term solution for the left-back position.
The report also suggests that Barcelona intends to retain Marcos Alonso as the second-choice left-back, further indicating the potential departure of Jordi Alba. Barcelona currently owes Alba a significant sum of around €38 million for the upcoming season due to deferred payments from the past. Selling Alba would not only help alleviate this financial burden but also contribute to reducing the wage bill, which could potentially facilitate Barcelona's efforts to bring Lionel Messi back to the club.
In summary, despite Alejandro Grimaldo being available as a free agent, Barcelona has decided against pursuing his signing. The coaching staff has doubts about his development and prefers to explore other options. The club is placing its trust in young talent Alejandro Balde and intends to retain Marcos Alonso as a backup. It is likely that Barcelona will look to sell Jordi Alba to alleviate financial obligations and create space in the wage structure, potentially aiding their pursuit of Lionel Messi's return.
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