Manchester City are facing a battle to sign Benfica's Alex Grimaldo, after the Portuguese club whacked a £38.5m price tag on the 21-year-old, according to theMail.
Grimaldo signed for Benfica earlier thisyear for only £1.3m, having failed to make the grade at Barcelona. The left back has enjoyed playing first team football since crossing the border and is now catching the eye of some of Europe's top clubs, including Manchester City.
RUMOURS: Man City considering Grimaldo move https://t.co/5vuUDWHZmV pic.twitter.com/zVBm4ArVTB
City boss,Pep Guardiola, is understood to be a big fan of the defender having worked with him in his management days at the Nou Camp.
Grimaldo shot to fame in 2011when he became the youngest player to play in Spain's second division aged just 15-years-old.
Unfortunately his development was curbed after he sustained a serious knee injury in 2013 playing for Barcelona 'B'and having struggled to recover his form and fitness, he left the Nou Camp seeking to revive his career.
The Mail report that Grimaldo remains keen to reunite with Guardiola and work with the Spaniard at Manchester City in the future.
The Citizens have enjoyed a mixed season so far and appear fragile in defence, particularly at left back, where Guardiola is looking to strengthen.
Whilst Grimaldo may be the solution to City's problems, the Eastlands based clubface a battle to sign the player, after Benfica placed a high asking price on their man in thehope that it will ward of interest for the time being.
Guardiola is reportedly reluctant to meet the £38.5m price tag placed on Grimaldo and may consider looking elsewhere, if Benfica remain stubborn and fail to lower their asking price.