Premier League side Arsenal are reportedly keen to sign Benfica’s Alex Grimaldo as the backup for left-back Kieran Tierney.
The Gunners were chasing Aaron Hickey for some time but the youngster has chosen to join Brentford, in the hopes of playing regularly next season.
Mikel Arteta has no faith in Nuno Tavares which is why after missing out on Hickey, the Arsenal manager is now focused on signing Alex Grimaldo.
Grimaldo is a product of the Barcelona academy and he joined Benfica in 2016. Since then, he’s played close to 250 games for the club and last season, he scored and assisted ten goals in just 29 league outings.
Arsenal are hoping to sign Alex Grimaldo from Benfica to provide cover at left-back for the injury prone Kieran Tierney. ✍️
Would you be happy to see the Gunners sign the Spaniard for a fee in the region of €7 million? 🇪🇸#AFC #Arsenal #Grimaldo #Benfica pic.twitter.com/CxzSqKnZ52
— AFTV (@AFTVMedia) July 11, 2022
Are Arsenal close to signing Alex Grimaldo?
Earlier, reports had suggested that Arsenal have already submitted a formal bid for the left-back but Fabrizio Romano has shattered those rumours.
The Italian expert has asserted that the Gunners are yet to make any offers for the 26-year-old and they are not close to signing him either.
As per the experts, Arsenal’s interest in Alex Grimaldo will depend on Nuno Tavares’ future at the club. If Tavares can be sold or loaned out only then the Gunners will make any sort of formal move for the Benfica full-back.
Marseille have been linked with a move for Tavares in recent weeks and the French club’s representatives have also been in London to hold talks over a possible transfer.
Grimaldo started in 27 league games for Benfica last season so we are not yet sure if he is ready to play as the backup to Kieran Tierney or not but before we get to that cross-section, Arsenal will have to seal Nuno Tavares’ future.
