Football Bundesliga: Grimaldo's successor found - Bayer signs Gutiérrez

Bayer Leverkusen has secured the signing of Spanish left-back Miguel Gutiérrez from Italian club SSC Napoli. The Bundesliga side announced on August 5, 2026, that the 25-year-old has agreed to a contract that runs until June 30, 2031.

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Miguel is a superb footballer, our absolute top choice for this position.

The transfer fee is reportedly around 30 million euros, a significant investment for the German club. Gutiérrez is brought in to fill the void left by Alejandro Grimaldo, who departed for Atlético Madrid earlier in the summer transfer window. This move signals Bayer Leverkusen's intent to strengthen their squad following a successful period.

Bayer's managing director of sport, Simon Rolfes, expressed his satisfaction with the signing, calling Gutiérrez "our absolute top choice for this position." He added that Gutiérrez brings a "new, very dynamic element" to the team.

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With him, we have implemented a new, very dynamic element for our Werkself.

Gutiérrez himself conveyed his excitement about the move, stating that Bayer 04 has an excellent reputation in Italy and Spain. He looks forward to experiencing the atmosphere in German stadiums, having been impressed by the club's trajectory in recent years. The defender, who will wear the number 3 jersey, was developed in Real Madrid's youth academy before moving to Napoli in 2025, where he made 36 appearances last season.

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The club has impressed me greatly in recent years, Bayer 04 has an excellent reputation in Italy and also in my Spanish homeland. I have heard a lot about the Bundesliga, watched games, and I am very much looking forward to the atmosphere in the German stadiums.