Barcelona set to sensationally re-sign defender they let go in 2015 as €40m Spaniard - who had record snatched off him by Lamine Yamal - already has 'internal agreement' to make return

According to Sky Sport Germany, Barcelona are keen on bringing Bayer Leverkusen's Alejandro Grimaldo back to the club in a bid to reinforce their defence. Although the left-back still has a contract with the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions until 2027, there is said to be an internal agreement with Leverkusen's management. This should enable Grimaldo to return to his youth club. The transfer fee is rumoured to be between €30-40 million (£26-34m).

The Spanish international dreams of returning to Barcelona, as he made clear in an interview with the Catalan newspaper El Periodico in March.

"Yes, that is definitely a goal I have. I have it very clear in my mind, and the club (Leverkusen; editor's note) knows it too. I want to return to Spain in the medium to short term and experience living there, because after all, it's my country. I want to play there and enjoy the experience," said the 29-year-old, emphasising: "I grew up at La Masia. It's the club where I grew up as a player and as a person, and it's the club I wanted to play for since I was a child."

Grimaldo was the youngest player to ever play in Segunda Division, the second-tier of Spanish football now known as LaLiga Hypermotion, achieving the feat at the age of 15 years and 349 days while playing for Barcelona B against Cartagena on September 4, 2011. That record, though, was broken by Lamine Yamal in 2022.

Having won the Copa del Rey, and with a healthy four-point lead over arch-rivals Real Madrid in the league, Barcelona are on course to win the treble. On Wednesday, they drew the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter 3-3. The return leg at San Siro will be played next Tuesday, but before that, the Catalans must ensure they don't slip up against bottom-placed Real Valladolid on Saturday, May 3.