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Report: ‘World class’ player has now been offered to Manchester City after Arsenal make bid to sign him

Sam Preston

Thu 21 July 2022 9:15, UK

Manchester City have been offered the chance to sign Alex Grimaldo, who has been of interest to Arsenal this summer.

It was reported earlier this month that Arsenal had made a bid to sign the left-back from Benfica, and City are looking to make improvements in that area of the pitch.

Arsenal and City’s fortunes on the left of the backline are intertwined this summer, with Oleksandr Zinchenko moving from the latter to the former.

That could free up funds and space on City’s end to sign Grimaldo, although the report says Marc Cucurella is their top target.

Manchester City offered Grimaldo

Arsenal have been fairly extensively linked with Grimaldo this summer, but Zinchenko’s impending arrival could put an end to that interest.

It looks most likely that City will get Cucurella at this stage, and he has Premier League experience on his side with Brighton.

One potential barrier is the £50 million pricetag, and Grimaldo could be a cheaper alternative, especially if he is being offered to clubs.

That is what are reporting, and while it is a surprise that City have not made a bid for a left-back yet, perhaps they were waiting for Zinchenko to move first.

The Benfica sporting director, Tiago Pinto, last year that Grimaldo is ‘world class’ and could play for any team on the planet.

If he went to the Etihad Stadium, both City and Arsenal could probably be pleased with their squad shuffling at left-back this summer.

City have had a £30 million bid for Cucurella rejected, as per the , and could walk away and look at other options if the finances do not work for them.

The bonus for Arsenal is that Zinchenko can play in midfield and that is where he may end up playing most of his football for the Gunners.