Bundesliga: Bayer star Grimaldo moves home to Atlético

Bundesliga soccer team Bayer Leverkusen has lost one of its best players from last season. The Spanish left winger Alejandro Grimaldo is moving to the Spanish first division club Atlético Madrid after three seasons in the Leverkusen jersey. “His style of play was formative for our Werkself, his free kicks were iconic – we thank him for that,” said Bayer 04 Managing Director Sport Simon Rolfes.

According to media reports, the Madrilenians are paying around 20 million euros for the 30-year-old, who still has a contract with Bayer until 2027. Grimaldo moved from Benfica Lisbon to the Rhineland on a free transfer in 2023. In 2024 he celebrated the double of championship and cup victory with Bayer. He has never played in the Spanish first division.

Replacement for Grimaldo?

Grimaldo played 145 competitive games for Leverkusen within three years, scoring 30 goals and 45 assists. The left-back with playmaking qualities and goal threat is currently with the Spanish national team at the World Cup in North America.

According to reports, the Leverkusen team has several candidates in mind to replace Grimaldo. In addition to Bayern Munich’s left-back Raphaël Guerreiro, the club around new coach Carles Martinez Novell is also said to have Arsène Kouassi from FC Lorient and Pep Chavarría from Rayo Vallecano on the list.

By Editor