For over a year, the Riviera club has been searching for a primary left-back. A serious option seems to be emerging.
Although the Gym’s squad includes three left-backs this season, the management of OGC Nice, and in particular its sporting director Florent Ghisolfi, is keen on making an acquisition for this position next summer.
With Melvin Bard struggling at the beginning of the season, Ayoub Amraoui still a bit inexperienced at the highest level, and Joe Bryan on loan from Fulham set to leave the club at the end of the season, it is imperative for the club to recruit a player capable of being the designated starter.
While Italian under-21 international Fabiano Parisi was targeted during the last two transfer windows, the Gym eventually backed off due to the price demanded by Empoli. According to several sources, Ghisolfi is interested in a player playing in Portugal: Alex Grimaldo.
Trained at the FC Barcelona Masia, the 27-year-old Spanish international (2 caps) has been a reliable asset in Europe for many seasons. As an undisputed starter for Benfica, Grimaldo has shone with the Lisbon club since his arrival in 2016. Accustomed to playing in the Champions League (39 appearances with 4 goals and 7 assists), the full-back, whose market value is estimated at 25 million euros, is out of contract next June.
An eminent option that seems to meet all the criteria of the ideal modern full-back (European experience, offensive contribution, free agent), but which logically attracts interest from many clubs. Faced with competition from a club qualified for the Champions League, OGC Nice might solely rely on a financial argument (significant signing bonus combined with a high salary).
