Bayern Munich Prepared To Sell FC Barcelona Target Kimmich To Catalans
Bayern Munich fears that its midfielder Joshua Kimmich is letting his contract run down so that he can join FC Barcelona on a free transfer in 2025, according to Bild.
The influential German outlet reports that the Bavarians know the Catalans’ head coach Xavi Hernandez has been in contact with Kimmich.
Because of this, they are prepared to negotiate his transfer to the La Liga champions this summer for a cut fee rather than lose him for nothing 12 months down the line.
Alongside Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Kimmich was Xavi’s top target ahead of the 2023/2024 season as the Blaugrana prepared for the post-Sergio Busquets era.
Former captain Busquets announced that he would leave the club of his life after 15 years in the first team, and later joined another ex-Barca great in Lionel Messi at Inter Miami where Jordi Alba and Luos Suarez now ply their trades.
Thanks to their economic predicament, Barca was priced out of any potential approach for Kimmich or Zubimendi with their price tags north of $76 million (€70 million).
The club had to settle for La Masia graduate Oriol Romeu instead, who cost for less at around $4.4 million (€3.9 million) from regional neighbors Girona.
Romeu initially impressed at the start of the season but fell out of favor owing to a string of poor performances that coincided with Frenkie de Jong becoming injured.
Kimmich would be the perfect partner for the Dutchman in a double pivot, however, and this tactical approach would allow Kimmich’s Germany skipper Gundogan to play to the best of his abilities in more advanced role.
When De Jong became injured in the first half of a comeback win against Celta Vigo, Gundogan had to be positioned deeper which caused a shortage of supply to Kimmich’s one-time Bayern teammate Robert Lewandowski.
To acquire Kimmich, Barca could mimic what they did with Gundogan when his Manchester City terms were set to expire, and convince him to sign for them for free.
As Bild outlines, though, a transfer in 2024 might also be possible if Bayern does indeed negotiate a cut fee providing Barca can find the required funds.
