Barcelona 'consider signing Alex Grimaldo', according to Diario AS which is sometimes quite reliable.
The Catalans are still looking for a left-back who could replace departing Junior Firpo and their ex-La Masia wonderkid is one of the options.
Ronald Koeman and the coaching staff are said to be really keen on the 25-year-old.
Last season, the wing-back scored 2 goals and provided 10 assists in just 31 league appearances for Benfica.
Grimaldo's season heat map
Overall, Grimaldo has recorded an impressive total of 41 assists for the Portuguese side, as per Transfermarkt.
Grimaldo's estimated value is €22m but Benfica could demand even less for him, about €20m.
Alex Grimaldo was part of La Masia between 2008 and 2016 before signing for Benfica for just €2.1m.
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"I have had a good conversation with president Laporta. He now also knows that I am the best man for the club," Ronald Koeman has told NOS when asked about his Barca future.
Many Blaugrana fans were waiting for Xavi to be in charge of the team starting from the next season. However, after Laporta supposedly had negotiations with some other candidates, he preferred to stick to Koeman.
Earlier this month, Joan Laporta announced Ronald Koeman's stay. The Dutchman may soon sign a new deal that could potentially keep him at the club until 2023.
Koeman has been in charge of Barca since August 2020, leading the team to the Copa del Rey glory.
The 58-year-old has won 2.09 points per game with Blaugrana.
Barca identify Gaya and Tagliafico as Firpo replacement (reliability: 5 stars)
With Junior Firpo expected to leave, Barcelona are looking to sign an experienced left-back to replace the 24-year-old and to compete with Jordi Alba, Mundo Deportivo's reliable Ferran Martinez says.
Valencia's defender Jose Gaya fits the profile just right, it's said. Another option could be Nicolas Tagliafico who is reportedly looking to leave Ajax this summer.
The Catalans have already discarded Oleksandr Zinchenko and Robin Gosens as possible options, it's added.
In the 2020/21 season, Gaya recorded a goal and seven assists in 34 matches for Los Che. Tagliafico, meanwhile, got a goal and four assists in 40 appearances.
