Grimaldo agrees Atlético Madrid contract but €30m Leverkusen fee threatens to derail move

Alejandro Grimaldo has agreed personal terms with Atlético Madrid on a contract through 2029, with an option for a further year, but the Spanish international’s move from Bayer Leverkusen hinges on a fee that both clubs have yet to agree, according to transfer reporter Matteo Moretto.

The gap between the clubs

Moretto places the current zone of active negotiation at around €25m — a substantial climb from Atlético’s opening position of a fixed fee in the €10–13m range, which Leverkusen rejected outright. German outlet Kicker, echoed by Bulinews, reports that Leverkusen have set a minimum asking price of approximately €30m and are prepared to keep Grimaldo — accepting the risk of losing him on a free transfer when his deal expires in 2027 — rather than accept bids they consider inadequate. Marca has cited €15m as the figure needed to cover the remaining contract value, while ESPN anticipates a final fee closer to €10m if a deal is eventually struck. The wide spread across those accounts suggests no precise number has been locked in, and that negotiations remain fluid.

Leverkusen’s leverage

Leverkusen’s firm stance is rooted in straightforward arithmetic. Grimaldo arrived from Benfica on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, was made vice-captain, and delivered double-digit assists across all competitions in his debut Bundesliga season. The club paid nothing to acquire him, yet now hold a player whose market value has risen sharply — which makes accepting a figure near €10m a difficult sell internally.

The broader context at Leverkusen is also relevant. Reports from Germany indicate that proceeds from a Grimaldo sale are earmarked to fund the club’s squad rebuild following significant outgoings this summer. That financial imperative explains both their willingness to sell and their refusal to accept a cut-price offer. A club holding a 2027 contract on a player of this calibre would ordinarily have little reason to move him on; the need to recycle funds is what has made the negotiation viable at all.

What it means for Atlético

For Diego Simeone’s side, Grimaldo represents a targeted solution to a specific structural need at left-back. His crossing range, set-piece delivery, and ability to function as an auxiliary winger within a back four would represent a genuine upgrade on what Atlético currently possess, and his established role in the Spanish national team adds proven quality at international level.

Notably, Atlético are simultaneously pursuing Leverkusen midfielder Aleix García at a similarly reported €25m valuation, which gives some indication of how the Madrid club is calibrating its total summer outlay on the German champions’ squad. Whether both deals can be completed at figures Leverkusen find acceptable remains the central question of Atlético’s transfer window.