As Atletico Madrid aims to strengthen their left-back position, the winds of change are blowing through the team’s hallways.  The Madrid club’s leadership has its sights on Alejandro Grimaldo, the dependable Spanish defender who is now making waves at Bayer Leverkusen.  With a plethora of experience, including from his stint at Benfica, Grimaldo, 29, may be the reassuring presence Atletico so needs at a position that hasn’t been stable this season.

Grimaldo’s stellar performance history says it all.  He has made 99 appearances in just two seasons under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, the coach of Bayer Leverkusen, and has established himself as a vital member of the team.  With 16 goals and 33 assists, he demonstrates his penchant for scoring goals and creating opportunities for teammates, especially during set pieces.  Furthermore, with ten caps under his belt and a strong likelihood of playing in the upcoming Nations League, Grimaldo is not new to donning the Spanish national jersey.

It won’t be easy to yank him away from Bayer, though.  Any possible transaction is made more complicated by the German club’s explicit statement that any negotiations will begin at a substantial 30 million euros.  Atletico has not officially made an official offer, but they are actively considering how Grimaldo might fit into their scheme.

 Grimaldo, for his part, appears to be excited about the chance to play for one of Spain’s top football teams when he returns home.  He has publicly said how much he admires teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico.  It’s interesting to note that Real Madrid is also closely monitoring the situation and views him as a backup plan in case their current transfer targets fall through the cracks.

Atletico’s search for a reliable left-back doesn’t stop with Grimaldo.  Giovanni Di Lorenzo of Napoli is also being evaluated to fill the hole as they expand their options.  Fans and management alike are desperate for a reliable force on the left wing because existing occupants like Javi Galan, Reinildo, and Riquelme haven’t performed up to par this season.