Benfica are yet to receive an offer for Alejandro Grimaldo and he’s reportedly not a target for Arsenal, despite links earlier in the window.

PIRAEUS, GREECE: Alejandro Grimaldo of S.L. Benfica runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
PIRAEUS, GREECE: Alejandro Grimaldo of S.L. Benfica runs with the ball during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal FC and SL Benfica at Karaiskakis Stadium on February 25, 2021. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)

Pre-season is now well underway, and the new Premier League campaign is just around the corner. To bet on games again now that football is back, check out www.sportwetten-test.org to find the best provider.

But even with the new season so close, Arsenal are yet to sort out their situation at left-back.

Kieran Tierney is on a long-term contract and appears happy and popular at Arsenal, but his persistent injury problems mean the Gunners can’t rely on him alone this year.

Nuno Tavares had a mixed debut campaign in North London, and a loan move looks to be the best option for him. That’s only going to be possible if the Gunners bring someone in first.

As things stand, Oleksandr Zinchenko looks to be the most likely addition. Arsenal reportedly have a £30m agreement with Manchester City, and they just need to finalise personal terms with the player.

Alejandro Grimaldo had appeared to be another option at one stage, but a deal for the Benfica left-back seems increasingly improbable.

The Athletic report that Grimaldo isn’t currently a target for the Gunners, whilst Fabrizio Romano writes for CaughtOffside that Benfica haven’t received any offers for the defender.

Benfica were in England for a training camp last week, leading to some speculation that Arsenal would use the opportunity to accelerate talks for the transfer.

Instead, the week came and went without any progress on a deal, and Benfica are back in Portugal now.

HARRISON, NJ - JULY 28: Alejandro Grimaldo #3 of Benfica celebrates scoring a goal against Juventus during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Benfica and Juventus at Red Bull Arena on July 28, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
HARRISON, NJ: Alejandro Grimaldo #3 of Benfica celebrates scoring a goal against Juventus during the International Champions Cup 2018 match between Benfica and Juventus at Red Bull Arena on July 28, 2018. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Various Portuguese outlets had linked Grimaldo with an Arsenal move earlier in the summer window, claiming Arsenal were set to make a €7m bid and Benfica were willing to cash in before the player’s contract expires next summer.

But it seems like these links were agent-driven, an attempt to try and generate some interest in the 26-year-old before that deal expires.

Alternatively, perhaps Benfica themselves are trying to create a bidding war for a player they know they’ll lose for free if he sticks around for another year without extending.

Grimaldo began his career at Barcelona, but he’s now spent well over six years with Benfica, making almost 250 appearances.

In his most recent season, Grimaldo scored six goals and assisted nine in 47 appearances. Benfica won’t want to lose him if possible, but selling and replacing him now may be a more sensible option than letting him go as a free agent.