In a recent report, Mundo Deportivo stated that Barcelona have set their sights on Granada keeper Luis Maximiano. It is understood that the Catalan giants have identified the Portuguese goalie as a future replacement for Marc-André ter Stegen.
Maximiano’s Impressive Form In Spanish Football This Season
Maximiano has given a good account of himself at Estadio Nuevo Los Cármenes as he has performed at a high level for Granada before the international break. The 22-year-old has conceded six goals and secured two clean sheets in five league appearances for the Spanish outfit this season in multiple competitions.
The Celeiros-born sensation has done well to average 1.2 clearances and 6.8 long balls per game in La Liga. However, he has often gone long when distributing the ball out from the back, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 44.9% in the Spanish top-flight (stats via whoscored).
Maximiano’s current contract with Granada is set to expire in the summer of 2025, so Barca would have to make a big offer if they are to stand a chance of securing his signature at the end of this campaign.
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Is Maximiano A Good Option For Barcelona?
Maximiano is a solid handler of the ball and can come out of his lines to make some important clearances at the back. He boasts decent reflexes that help him pull off a few superb saves in front of goal. The Portuguese custodian can position himself well inside his penalty box but needs to work on improving his passing accuracy if he intends to be a success story at the Nou Camp.
However, Ronald Koeman’s current first-choice keeper, Marc-André ter Stegen is comparatively better than Maximiano as he has already proven his worth at the highest level over the past few years. Hence, recruiting the Granada talent will be a downgrade for Barcelona but there is no doubt that he can develop into a future star for them in Spain.
The Catalan outfit need to lower their wage bill so that they can ease their financial concerns over the next few years. Hence, Maximiano could be a good option for Barca to pursue next summer but only if he is available for a fair price.
