Alejandro Grimaldo

[te amo barca]

If true, that’s not bad - for the fks alone it’d be worth it. Would love him back but I hope that doesn’t mean Deco et al will abandon the Ratiu pursuit - Lamine can use a RB who he can link up with

Ratiu is off the table. Eric will be the backup RB

 

[TacticsTim]

I don't think this is a good idea, the team is already short a taller left back would be much better

 

[-_- RandomUser -_-]

This could be good, maybe Flick is thinking he can play both him and Balde in some games, with Balde in a more advanced role.

 

[draconifire]

Not saying he would be bad. Even 30m would be an amazing business for us.

But should we spend 30m on a backup LB is the main question.

 

[Porque]

A versatile full-back, depending on the market

The other position that Deco has marked as a possible surprise reinforcement is that of full-back . Although it is not a priority, the club believes that incorporating a player capable of performing on both sides could be a very useful strategic move for Flick's rotation.

Deco is not looking for a large investment for this position, but rather a compliant, physical player with tactical intelligence and good ball handling.


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Article from yesterday afternoon, before the Grimaldo name leaked in the evening.

 

[Messi983]

 

[khaled_a_d]

If true, that’s not bad - for the fks alone it’d be worth it. Would love him back but I hope that doesn’t mean Deco et al will abandon the Ratiu pursuit - Lamine can use a RB who he can link up with

Villarreal are likely exercising a 7M buy option on Ratiu. It seems RB is now Kounde and Eric's position.

 

[Messi983]

They would be stupid not to do that. We'll see if Villarreal will actually keep him or sell for profit.

Shame for Rayo losing a player for probably half the price they could get on the market but 7m is still a big money for them.

 

[FCBarca]

Villarreal are likely exercising a 7M buy option on Ratiu. It seems RB is now Kounde and Eric's position.

I hope not

 

[TheStig]

Looks like we're betting on Eric becoming our RB backup. I'm ok with that, it's more important to get a backup LB.

 

[Messi983]

Looks like we're betting on Eric becoming our RB backup. I'm ok with that, it's more important to get a backup LB.

I'm ok with that too for two reasons.

1. Kounde got injured at the worst possible time but given both players injury history I trust him to stay fit way more than Balde.

2. I believe Eric (and Fort if he'll ever be given a fair chance - probably not so best for him to look for a loan) will fill in for Kounde when needed much better than Gerard on the other side.

I think signing Grimaldo for 2-3 years makes sense. Keep Torrents improving under Belletti next season and then send him on loan for a year or two and see how he does. That said I don't really believe these reports regarding his low clause but ofc if true it would be a good market opportunity just like Joan Garcia.

I was saying for years we should be looking at players with affordable release clauses and looks like we're finally doing that.

 

[Joan]

If Flick trusts Eric in that role, I’m okay with it, but he needs to actually use him. Kounde’s injury might’ve been avoided if he’d gotten some rest during the season.

He played nearly every available minute for both club and country.

 

[ZenI]

Would like him here, we really need to show Martin the door.

 

[draconifire]

Cadena SER reporting Vardrid is making Grimaldo an option and is in contact with him.

I really dont want him to go to Real. Hurry up Deco.

 

[gregorrin10]

Cadena SER reporting Vardrid is making Grimaldo an option and is in contact with him.

I really dont want him to go to Real. Hurry up Deco.

we really need to prioritize. Fuck Rashford or any other attacker for now. Nico was the only priority anyway. And if the story about having a total agreement with him is true, there's no point in dwelling on that deal any longer either, cause Bilbao won't negotiate. Just need to make sure we can pay that 58M release clause in one go before July 14th.

Meanwhile we need to get moving on this deal asap. Agree personal terms. Don't super low ball him to the point he feels disrespected. But make him understand he will need to fight it out with Balde for that starting spot (and will most likely lose, but don't tell him that). Just GET HIM. And then send Martin packing, he's young with his whole career in front of him, I doubt he'd refuse to leave if we find a buyer, totally different case to finished Fati and MATS. But we need Grimaldo here first, to put that pressure on Martin, same as we did with Garcia/MATS.