Barcelona ‘have made their first move for Joshua Kimmich and are excited about a deal for the versatile Bayern Munich star – who is ‘considering a new chapter after being left upset by Julian Nagelsmann’s sacking’
- Joshua Kimmich could leave Bayern Munich in favour of a move to Barcelona
- The German midfielder is reportedly a summer target for the Spanish side
- Kimmich is said to be considering leaving Bayern after a difficult season
Barcelona are reportedly targeting a summer move for Bayern Munich midfielder and German national team captain Joshua Kimmich.
Kimmich has emerged as one of the world’s best midfielders since making his Munich debut in 2015 under the now Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
However, the adaptive midfielder, like so many of his club team-mates, has endured a frustrating season with Bayern, who maintain a slim one point lead over Borussia Dortmund in the league and have been eliminated from the Champions League and German cup.
Such difficulties could see the Bundesliga champions cash-in on some of their prized assets in a bid to re-shape Thomas Tuchel’s team, and Kimmich has apparently been identified as a great fit for Barcelona.
The 28-year-old is an admirer of the recently-crowned LaLiga champions and is looking at overseas options available to him after a disrupted season, according to Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo.
Joshua Kimmich (middle) has reportedly emerged as a summer transfer target for Barcelona
Barcelona manager Xavi (pictured middle) has apparently told the club to start negotiations to bring Kimmich to the club
Kimmich apparently began to pursue a summer departure following the surprise sacking of Julien Nagelsmann, who has been heavily linked with taking over at Tottenham.
Barca president Joan Laporta is reportedly keen to land Kimmich and views him as a cheaper alternative to Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, although bringing Lionel Messi back to the Catalan club is their number one summer priority.
Team manager Xavi supposedly likes what he has seen from Kimmich as well and has apparently instructed the club’s hierarchy to start negotiations to secure the midfielder’s transfer.
Kimmich has won the Champions League, seven Bundesliga titles, three German cup trophies and the Club World Cup during a period of unrivalled domestic success for Bayern.
He was influential in his side’s 8-2 Champions League thrashing of Barcelona in 2020 that saw the Spanish team limp to an embarrassing exit from the competition.
Kimmich apparently views Barcelona as the ideal next career move for him and has been impressed with the club’s revival under Xavi that saw them win the league title this season for the first time since 2018.
The midfielder (left) was reportedly unhappy with Bayern’s decision to sack Julian Nagelsmann (right)
Kimmich (right) shares a strong relationship with Barca striker and former Munich talisman Robert Lewandowski (left)
His strong relationship with Barca talisman and former Bayern goalscorer Robert Lewandowski could help smooth a deal for him to move to the Nou Camp, while Kimmich also shares a friendship with Blaugrana and Germany shot-stopper Marc Ter Stegen.
Bayern are in a strong negotiating position given Kimmich’s existing contract still has two years left to run and would likely command a transfer fee that exceeds their current record departure of Lewandowski for £42.5million last summer.
A hefty price could cause Barcelona to drop out of the race for the midfielder’s signature given their ongoing financial issues that mean they have to significantly reduce their wage bill before being allowed to make more signings.
Kimmich is also reportedly wanted by Manchester City and is supposedly viewed by Guardiola as the perfect replacement for Ilkay Gundogan who will be a free agent at the end of the season.
