The price to sign Alex Grimaldo from Benfica may be a little higher than expected.
The left-back was much linked to clubs such as Barcelona and Manchester City at the start of the season, and his market situation is frequently commented on by the Portuguese press.
But speaking to journalists on Wednesday, club president Luis Filipe Vieira has made sure he’s not being sold for a low amount. Especially not the €30m claimed by the local papers.
“For €30m, he’s not leaving,” said Vieira, who also claims he’s not upset with the player’s injury which has kept him out for so long. “Not at all. Grimaldo and the doctors know it well, not at all! I’m not a doctor.“It was an option to do prolonged treatment to stabilise, but we came to the conclusion that still… he would run normally but when he kicked it hurt and had to be operated.”
Despite having a great start to the season, Grimaldo is now struggling to get back to the team. His injury has left him out since October, and there still isn’t a return date set for him.
The player was signed from Barcelona B for only €2m in January 2016 and made an immediate impact in Portugal, leading to claims Manchester City are very interested. In September the claims of Grimaldo moving to Manchester City grew so strong that a story was dreamed up about Pep Guardiola flying incognito to Lisbon to watch the player… something Sport Witness was able to confirm as nonsense.
Grimaldo’s current contract has a €60m release clause, so Benfica can push for much more than the amount claimed.
