Leeds United face competition in the race to sign Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, with AC Milan, Juventus, and Fulham all keen to sign the 27-year-old.
Football Insider first reported that Leeds hold “concrete interest” in signing the Benfica star in the summer window, should they survive in the Premier League.
Junior Firpo is the only specialist left-back on the club’s books, with a new addition expected to provide support and competition in the role.
Italian news outlet CalcioMercato have also linked the defender with a move to Elland Road to usurp Firpo as the club’s first choice in that position.
Reports from Portugal are also backing up Leeds’ interest in the 27-year-old, with newspaper Record (via Sport Witness) underlining the Whites’ monitoring of the full-back.
The same report believes a transfer away from Portugal remains a strong possibility, especially to either La Liga or the Premier League as Grimaldo “welcomes a foray into English football or a return to his country”.
What’s the latest in Leeds’ pursuit of Grimaldo?
Sky Sports claim that Fulham now “want” to sign Grimaldo to reinforce their left-back position, which is currently occupied by Antonee Robinson.
Competition will be fierce for Leeds, as the same report believes Italian and European giants Juventus and AC Milan are keen to land the defender.
There is also interest from his native Spain, with Villarreal keen as well as the club of the city of Grimaldo’s birth in Valencia.
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Grimaldo would be an addition of real class, with good pedigree at the highest level of European football.
However, it feels like a non-starter, given the names being mentioned around his potential signing. Grimaldo may well be keen on a move to England, but Fulham and Leeds do not have European football as something they can lure him in with.
There would also be question marks raised with regards to his suitability for weaker sides. The Spaniard is a very attack-minded full-back who needs license to get forward. He will suit the bigger team names mentioned, who are far more ball-dominant and possession based than Leeds.