When Alex Grimaldo leaves Benfica in June 2023 Barcelona have a golden opportunity to re-sign their La Masia alumni for free. However Catalans choose not to do it.

In an honest interview with Mundo Deportivo the defender revealed:

Last year when my contract at Benfica ended Barca would be a great opportunity for me which is what I was looking forward to but they do not want to rely on me. Besides they already have two other strong left teams. Back.

In fact Barca have Alejandro Balde and Marcos Alonso although calling the last one strong can be a bit protracted. But bringing in a new left-back was definitely not a priority at the time.

Grimaldo completed the signing of Bayer Leverkusen and won the Bundesliga title in his first season with the club. Now if someone decides to sign him his services will cost 45 million.