FC Barcelona Interested In Signing Bayern Munich Ace Joshua Kimmich

FC Barcelona have been linked to signing Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich, – who reportedly wants to leave his club – by Mundo Deportivo.

The Blaugrana are looking to make reinforcements to their first team squad, which on Sunday sealed its maiden La Liga title in four years through a 4-2 win away at bitter rivals Espanyol.

During the week, captain Sergio Busquets announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season after almost 15 years in the starting lineup, which leaves a gaping hole in the midfield and in particular the Spaniard’s deeper, more defensive position of pivot.

Xavi has already knocked back the prospect of selling left winger Ansu Fati for €30 million ($32.5 million) and receiving Ruben Neves in return from Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to El Nacional.

Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is the desired target, but Kimmich trumps pretty much everyone else if available.

Not only one of the world’s best technicians in the center of the park, the Bayern number ‘6’ can play at right back too where Xavi badly needs cover.

Central defender Jules Kounde has been filling in there this season, but is expected to occupy his usual area of the pitch soon and especially if Andreas Christensen is moved on.

Mundo Deportivo compliment Kimmich for being “very reliable” because of his technical and physical qualities as a “very tactically intelligent footballer”.

The German international, who would be the perfect partner for Frenkie de Jong in a double pivot as Busquets has been this season, “dominates the positional game and ‘watches’ at all times where his teammates are”, the Catalan paper adds.

It also notes that Kimmich is akin to a La Masia graduate who plays with his head up, to “control what happens around him before receiving the ball”.

At 28, Kimmich is reaching his peak in the sport but his contract running until mid-2025 and status as one of an elite European outfit’s star players means he won’t come cheap.

Mundo Deportivo reports that he wants to leave Bavaria, however, and he admitted in an interview with So Foot last year that he was open to playing abroad.

Kimmich has unanimous admiration from the coaches at Barca, who could make a move for him now or bide their time until next summer when his price tag would be reduced if not picking up on a free two years down the line.

Until then, Barca need to think about who accompanies De Jong, which could mean that Nico Gonzalez is recalled from his loan assignment at Valencia.