FC Barcelona are prepared to make an offer for a Bayern Munich star according to SPORT, which cited anonymous sources.
The Catalans were linked to the Bavarians’ defensive midfielder and right back Joshua Kimmich last summer, as head coach Xavi Hernandez looked to make improvements to a La Liga winning squad that had just lost Sergio Busquets.
A lack of funds at the Montjuic Stadium meant that Barca was priced out of an approach for the German, with the same logic applying to another desired target in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and his release clause reported as $65.3 million (€60 million).
Should Barca manage to raise cash this summer through big player sales or other means such as president Joan Laporta’s economic levers, approaches for one of the two men could still be made heading into 2024/2025.
According to SPORT, however, the Blaugrana is also attentive to the “bizarre” situation of another Bayern player in Bryan Zaragoza.
The 22-year-old made headlines when scoring a sensational 29-minute double against Xavi’s men in the first half of an eventual 2-2 draw earlier this term.
Barca were interested in signing him then, but the same mentioned financial restraints meant that Bayern ended up triggering his $15.2 million (€14 million) release clause instead.
Bryan was meant to make the switch to the Bundesliga at the end of the season, but the move was brought forward to the January transfer window.
The Life of Bryan in Germany hasn’t been easy so far, with struggles speaking either the local language or English hampering his progress.
As manager Thomas Tuchel is on his way out of the club on June 30, and could even take the Barca hotseat from the outgoing Xavi Hernandez, Bryan is ultimately at the mercy of the next tactician in the Allianz dugout.
If that individual doesn’t see a future for Bryan in his squad, he could go out on loan which is where Barca come in.
The La Liga giants see Bryan’s current predicament as a “market opportunity” to snatch a player rated for his speed, skills and cunning in one-on-one situations.
By landing in Catalonia, Bryan could provide competition on the left wing to Joao Felix, Ferran Torres and Vitor Roque while also capable of starring more centrally in attacking midfield.
