Barcelona is gearing up for a crucial clash in the Champions League round of 16, where they will take on Portuguese side Benfica in Lisbon for the first leg tomorrow. The Catalan club currently tops the La Liga table with 57 points after 26 matches, maintaining a three-point lead over Real Madrid, who sit in third place, and holding a narrow one-point advantage over Atletico Madrid in second.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona is actively exploring options to strengthen its squad for the upcoming season. One of the key targets identified by the club’s management and technical staff is German international Joshua Kimmich.
The Bayern Munich star is set to become a free agent next summer, as his contract with the German giants will expire. This presents a golden opportunity for many top European clubs, with Barcelona among those keen on securing his signature.
Kimmich, now 30, has been an integral part of Bayern Munich for nearly ten years. However, his time at the Bundesliga club appears to be nearing its conclusion, as he seeks a fresh challenge.
Barcelona is seen as an appealing destination for the player, and recent reports suggest that the club’s sporting director, Deco, has already initiated discussions with Kimmich’s representatives. This indicates the Catalan club’s serious interest in bringing him to Camp Nou. However, a significant hurdle in the negotiation process is the midfielder’s high salary demands.
Kimmich is reportedly asking for a salary exceeding €10 million net per year, which would make him the second-highest earner at the club, behind Robert Lewandowski. Given that he currently earns a similar amount at Bayern, he is reluctant to accept a pay cut in order to facilitate a move to Barcelona. This poses a challenge for the Catalan giants, who must operate within La Liga’s strict salary cap regulations.
Barcelona is now evaluating ways to structure the deal in a financially viable manner. Possible solutions include deferring payments or incorporating performance-based bonuses to comply with financial constraints.
Meanwhile, Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, is a strong advocate for signing Kimmich. Having previously worked with him at Bayern, Flick considers the German star a key figure in his tactical setup.
Kimmich’s versatility allows him to play as a right-back, potentially replacing Jules Koundé, or as a central midfielder, which could impact Frenkie de Jong’s role in the squad. His experience, leadership qualities, and tactical discipline align perfectly with Flick’s vision, making him a valuable addition to the team.
Leave a Reply