Alejandro Grimaldo is set to complete his move to Atlético Madrid on Sunday after the Spanish club reached an agreement with Bayer Leverkusen for a fee in the region of €20 million.
Fabrizio Romano reports that the transfer will be finalised today, with paperwork and formalities currently being processed. The 30-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Los Colchoneros and is expected to sign a contract running until 2029 with an option for an additional year.
The agreement represents a compromise between the two clubs. Leverkusen had initially set an internal valuation floor of approximately €30 million for the left-back, who still had two years remaining on his existing deal. However, Grimaldo had indicated he would not extend his contract beyond 2027, forcing the German champions to reconsider their position as his market value would have depreciated with time.
There remains some variance in the reported financial structure. While Romano cites a figure of “around €20m” likely referring to the guaranteed fixed component, German outlets including Sky Germany and Bild had previously suggested a framework of €22 million plus €3 million in potential bonuses. Spanish sources have indicated a range between €20 million and €23 million including add-ons.
For Atlético, the signing addresses a priority position in Diego Simeone’s squad. The club had earlier explored a move for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, but that pursuit ended when Real Madrid entered the race for the former Brighton defender. Grimaldo arrives as Atlético’s first major defensive acquisition of the summer window.
The Spain international fits Simeone’s tactical requirements for a full-back capable of contributing in both defensive and attacking phases. His delivery from wide areas and set-piece expertise were key components of Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga title triumph under Xabi Alonso during the 2023-24 campaign.
Financially, Leverkusen will record a significant capital gain despite accepting below their initial demands. The club signed Grimaldo on a free transfer from Benfica in 2023, meaning the entire fee represents pure profit. Chief executive Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes made the journey to Madrid in recent days to accelerate negotiations and secure the best possible outcome.
The deal’s completion allows Atlético sporting director Mateu Alemany to focus resources on remaining targets, particularly midfield reinforcements. The club continues to manage several outgoing situations involving players such as Alexander Sørloth, Thiago Almada and José María Giménez, which will influence further recruitment.
Both clubs are expected to issue formal announcements shortly, with Grimaldo’s unveiling at the Metropolitano anticipated to follow once medical examinations are completed.