Atlético Madrid wants to sign Leverkusen’s Alejandro Grimaldo. However, the two sides have yet to find common ground on a transfer fee. In this standoff, the market and time are working in Bayer 04’s favor.
The situation has generated quite a bit of excitement. Ever since Atlético Madrid’s concrete interest in Leverkusen’s Spanish World Cup participant Alejandro Grimaldo became public, new reports have been popping up about the negotiations and a convergence between the two clubs. The general consensus: Things are moving. And a quick deal is imminent.
A transfer fee of 20 million euros would be far too low
It was reported that Leverkusen’s CEO, Fernando Carro, had traveled to Madrid for negotiations. The same was reported about his fellow executive, Simon Rolfes. The latter did indeed travel to Spain on Sunday, but to attend a wedding in Mallorca and return on Monday. And Carro, who is Spanish, is based in Madrid anyway—though he is actively involved in the talks with Atlético.
However, as of Tuesday morning, these talks hadn’t really gained any momentum. Even though *Marca* speculates that the negotiations could be concluded for a transfer fee of 20 million euros, including bonus payments. That said, this idea seems to stem more from Atlético’s wishes.
Leverkusen’s message: Pay up or wait until 2027
Bayer 04 would not be nearly satisfied with such a package. Rather, the German Europa League participant has clearly communicated to the Spaniards the amount for which it would be willing to part with the left-back, who is under contract in Leverkusen until the summer of 2027.
After Bayer 04 internally set its bottom line at 30 million euros last week, it’s clear that the transfer package—comprising a fixed fee and bonuses—must fall between 25 and 30 million euros. The clear message to Atlético is therefore: Pay up or wait—until Grimaldo’s contract expires in 2027.
The market and the time factor are working in Bayer 04’s favor
The latter scenario is one that Leverkusen’s management could easily live with. That’s why they can observe the situation with relative calm. Unlike Atlético, the “Colchoneros” saw their local rival Real Madrid swoop in and snatch their top target, Marc Cucurella, right from under their noses—snapping up the Spanish World Cup participant and selling him to Chelsea FC for a 50 million euro transfer fee.
The overall situation ensures that Leverkusen holds a strong hand in this poker game: The number of top-tier alternatives for Atlético at this position is limited—and their price tags are likely to be higher than Grimaldo’s, who will turn 31 in September. The shrinking market for left-backs works in Bayer’s favor—and time is on their side.
Bayer has its eye on two talents from Ligue 1
The Bundesliga club is using this opportunity to prepare for the signing of a much-needed successor to Grimaldo. The club has its sights set on two players from Ligue 1: Dayann Methali (20) from FC Toulouse—the former club of new Bayer coach Carles Martinez—and Arsene Kouassi (22) from FC Lorient.
