Earlier this week, we covered journalist Rudy Galetti naming Newcastle United in the race for Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo.
It was claimed the Magpies are one of the clubs who are ‘most interested’ in landing the 26-year-old, along with the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.
Now as the news reaches Portugal, even though there’s no confirmation of Newcastle’s pursuit for the player, there’s a good argument why Eddie Howe’s side could find a good position to take him away from Benfica this summer.
Newspaper O Jogo features a story about the rumours of Magpies’ interest, and points out two factors. The first is that Grimaldo’s contract expires next year. And the other is that due to behaviour issues, the Eagles are open to negotiating him.
Grimaldo’s controversial situation at Benfica took place last month. That happened when he saw his name in the squad for the last game of the season, against Paços Ferreira. He was expecting to be left out, as he was travelling to Spain on that day, and when learning he’d play, he started screaming and scratched his name from the list, writing the word ‘joke’.
The club took his actions very seriously, and newspaper Record even reported that he would not play for them again. So if Newcastle really want him, that’s a factor which will play on their side.
