Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has not had all of the reinforcements that he would’ve liked since arriving at the club, and it is set to be another frugal summer. However that will not stop him from making his preferences clear.
According to MD, Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is his prreferred option for the pivot role that Barcelona are desperately seeking this summer. Everton midfielder Amadou Onana had been cited as the top choice in Can Barca, but it looks as if the finances will prevent any deal from happening.
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi remains a favourite with Xavi too, while Guido Rodriguez is also appreciated. The former seems highly unlikely, due to his €60m release clause, while the latter, whom Barcelona have opened contract talks with, is perhaps the most likely of the trio on account of him being available for free with his contract expiring.
🚨 Kimmich is the footballer that the technical staff favors the most for the pivot position, Bayern intends to renew his contract. Kimmich aims to determine his future before Euro 2024. @martinezferran 🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/d2jNEYstdh
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) May 1, 2024
Kimmich is into his final year of his Bayern contract after the summer, and thus the Bavarian giants will decide to either sell the 29-year-old or renew his deal. The German international is keen to join Barcelona, and has always cited Xavi as one of his idols. The pair held conversations about Kimmich joining the club last summer, but again Barcelona’s finances got in the way.
Previous reports say that Barcelona were one of five sides that Kimmich would be open to leaving Bayern for, but has expressed doubts privately about their capacity to do so. The Blaugrana will have to make major sales before they can even contemplate a deal for Kimmich, and Bayern are unlikely to let him go without a reasonable fee.
