Arsenal and Man City leading transfer race for £26m Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo
Spaniard was voted February's best defender in the Portuguese league by the division's managers
ARSENAL and Manchester City are leading the race to sign Benfica left-back Alex Grimaldo, according to reports.
The £26million-rated Spaniard was voted February's best defender in the Portuguese league by the division's managers.
But his incredible form means Benfica face a battle to hold onto their top talent.
According to , Arsenal and City look to be neck and neck in their efforts to sign Grimaldo.
Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Inter Milan are also thought to be interested.
Barcelona academy graduate Grimaldo, 23, recently signed with sports talent agency Wasserman, which represents Virgil Van Dijk, N'Golo Kante, John Stones and Clement Lenglet.
This change in management suggests Grimaldo may be ready to move on from Benfica.
Incoming Arsenal director of football Monchi has long been an admirer of the defender.
While it is claimed Pep Guardiola could be tempted by Grimaldo as another option to the injury-plagued Benjamin Mendy.
Grimaldo came through Barcelona's famed La Masia academy and left Barca B for Benfica in 2016.
He has scored eight goals and set up five in 39 appearances in all competitions this season.
The defender, who represented Spain at youth level, is contracted at Benfica until the summer of 2021.
Last month Grimaldo said: "I'm in good form this year and injuries have not yet appeared. I'm fine physically and that has allowed me to be available to help the team."