As reported by Fichajes, it has emerged that Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has approached the club with a request for signing two players that he feels will help meet key needs in the team, i.e., Ademola Lookman and Alejandro Grimaldo.
The publication states that together, the duo could move for a total fee of approximately €45 million.
A Pragmatic Approach Take by Hansi Flick
With Flick well aware of Barcelona’s budget limitations, his strategy is pragmatic rather than headline-grabbing.
He desires players who can contribute immediately to the side without expecting the club to exceed its budget. That’s where Lookman and Grimaldo come in beautifully.
Lookman’s Versatility and Defensive Discipline
Lookman, who plays for Atalanta, has had an outstanding campaign in Italy. The 27-year-old forward is a quick winger who is excellent in transition and can play both on the left and right sides.
What attracts him further to Flick is that he is disciplined in defensive play and that he can also change tactically.
The forward versatile has also expressed a desire to play for Barcelona, which makes the possible transfer more facile to deal with from the negotiating point of view.
Grimaldo’s Return to Camp Nou?
Conversely, Grimaldo is regarded as an astute solution for the left-back role. A La Masia alumni, Grimaldi has developed during his stint at Benfica and subsequently at Bayer Leverkusen.
His displays in Germany have established him as one of Europe’s most reliable full-backs. Given that his release clause is reportedly reasonable, a move back to Camp Nou is plausible.
Grimaldo would not only provide the competition Alejandro Balde needs, but he would also bring invaluable experience especially since Barcelona are likely to sell Gerard Martin this summer.
Hansi Flick: Fixing Holes, Not Chasing Stars
Far from making high-priced signings, players who would increase the club’s financial burden further, Barcelona view the Lookman-Grimaldo partnership as the budget and shrewd option.
Flick’s message is unequivocal which is to fix genuine problems, not pursue stardom. With €45 million, Barça would be able to plug two holes, providing the team with much-needed balance as they seek to rebound under new management.
