Express. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express.
Arsenal beating Manchester City to Benfica star Alejandro Grimaldo… but they have a rival
ARSENAL are leading a pack of suitors in the battle to sign Benfica’s Alejandro Grimaldo this summer.
Arsenal are keen to strengthen their defence after a disappointing season at the back.
Manager Unai Emery has failed to solve the defensive issues that impeded Arsene Wenger’s latter years at the Gunners’ helm.
Arsenal have suffered a string of defensive injuries this season, including a knee injury to Hector Bellerin that rules him out for the rest of the season.
And according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Grimaldo is on the north Londoners’ radar.
The Barcelona-Based newspaper suggests Atletico Madrid are also gunning for the player.
And the two clubs have left fellow suitors Manchester City, Napoli and Inter Milan in their wake.
Munro Deportivo report that Grimaldo - who came up through the Barcelona academy before heading to Benfica in 2016 - could well be available.
It has been previously claimed that Arsenal wanted Grimaldo as a replacement for long-standing defender Nacho Monreal.
The report adds that Atletico are serious about a deal as Felipe Luis is expected to leave in the summer, and Bayern Munich want to sign Lucas Hernandez.
Landing Grimaldo therefore appears like a sensible option for Atletico manager Diego Simeone.
As for Arsenal, manager Unai Emery should have a reasonable transfer kitty to spend in the summer after being restricted in January.
Aaron Ramsey will leave on a free transfer and will have to be replaced, with Denis Suarez arriving on loan from Barcelona last month.
Suarez has six months to impress his manager, with a £20m option for Arsenal to sign the Spaniard on a permanent basis.