Soccer
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Bayer Leverkusen head coach Carles Martinez believes transfer rumours are normal for a player like Alejandro Grimaldo, who has been linked with a move away from the club.
Grimaldo’s current deal with Leverkusen expires next summer, but the 30-year-old has been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The left-back played a crucial role in the Werkself’s Bundesliga-winning campaign in 2023-24, scoring 10 goals and providing 13 assists in 33 games.
Since joining Leverkusen in 2023, Grimaldo has scored the most goals among defenders in Europe’s top five leagues (30), provided the most (41) and created the most chances (326).
Martinez was appointed head coach, taking over the role from Kasper Hjulmand, who was in charge for just one season.
Work in progress pic.twitter.com/BeQ2t82kKX
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) June 15, 2026
The Spanish coach insisted he is unfazed by rumours suggesting Grimaldo could leave Leverkusen this summer, with the defender currently at the World Cup with Spain.
“Grima is a top player, and not just now or since last year, but for many years already,” Martinez told BILD.
“He’s at the World Cup right now, and transfer rumours around a player like that are normal. You have to know that things can change quickly on the market.
“Grima is a great guy and a leader. He helps Bayer 04 both as a player and as a personality. I asked him if everything was going well with the national team.
“And of course, I told Grima that I’m really looking forward to working with him here.”
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