Romano: 27-year-old won’t be joining Newcastle, he’s going elsewhere

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Newcastle United have been linked with signing Alejandro Grimaldo this summer, but it looks like the Spaniard is not on his way to St James’ Park.

Grimaldo’s Benfica contract is due to expire at the end of the season, with Newcastle linked with signing the left-back on a free.

It was reported in Spain that the Magpies were one of multiple clubs to contact the 27-year-old’s agent about a move.

Eddie Howe is in the market for a left-sided defender this summer, and Grimaldo has the attacking talents that could make him a hit on Tyneisde. However, the Spaniard is on the brink of a move to Germany.

Romano says Grimaldo is signing for Bayer Leverkusen

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Grimaldo has signed a deal with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. He states that the defender has already put pen to paper on a four-year deal with Xabi Alonso’s side, while his medical has also been completed.

All that is left to do is officially announce the deal, then Grimaldo will be set to become a Bayer Leverkusen player once his Benfica contract comes to an end.

It is a great bit of business from the German club, who are going to add a very attacking left-back to their squad without paying a transfer fee.

Newcastle look elsewhere for a left-back

Grimaldo’s deal with Leverkusen means Newcastle will need to look elsewhere for a left-back. However, a move for the Spaniard never felt too likely. The only major appeal was that he was available on a free.

While he is a talented player, he perhaps is not suited to what Howe wants. The Toon boss is always looking for players with Premier League experience, which is why Kieran Tierney appears to be the Magpies’ top left-back target.

Other options include Renan Lodi, who is on loan at Nottingham Forest.

Another player who has been linked is Mitchel Bakker, who actually plays for Bayer Leverkusen. He was close to signing for Newcastle last year, and might be pushed down the pecking order by Grimaldo’s arrival at the BayArena.

Whether or not that makes a move to Newcastle for Bakker more likely remains to be seen, but it is an interesting subplot in this transfer merry-go-round.