FC Barcelona makes it official: The Catalans would like to see Joshua Kimmich in their ranks. Xavi could play an important role in this.
Munich – It's no secret that Barca coach Xavi is a fan of Joshua Kimmich. The 43-year-old has often praised the 28-year-old Bayern Munich star, recently saying at the pre-match press conference against Real Valladolid: "Kimmich is a spectacular footballer in my eyes, one of the best in his position."
| Joshua Kimmich | |
|---|---|
| Age: | 28 years (February 8, 1995) |
| Position: | Midfield |
| Market value: | 80 million euros |
Xavi hopes for open door at FC Bayern for negotiations on Kimmich
But now FC Barcelona seems to be serious about Xavi's crush on Kimmich. Xavi himself made the Catalans' interest in the FC Bayern star public: "If there is an open door, there will be negotiations with Bayern," he told Mundo Deportivo: "It is clear that we need a player with a very high level in this position, otherwise it will be very difficult to keep up next year."
In doing so, Xavi would also become personally active. "The club already knows that if I have to call someone or travel, I will do so," said the 2010 World Cup winner, once again praising Kimmich in the highest terms: "He is an absolute top player who understands the game in a fantastic way."
Barca coach Xavi wants to lure Joshua Kimmich away from FC Bayern. © NurPhoto/Sportfoto Rudel/imago
Robert Lewandowski is already digging: "It's worth coming to Barcelona"
Former team-mate at FC Bayern, Robert Lewandowski, would also be happy if Kimmich were to move to FC Barcelona. "I would say to Joshua Kimmich that it's worth coming to Barcelona. The environment here is different from that of Bavaria. They are two big clubs, but everything is different. Of course, the daily life, the language, the experience, the challenges... everything," the Pole said recently in an interview with Polish reporter Tomasz Wlodarczyk.
In addition, the departure of club legend Sergio Busquets from FC Barcelona in the summer is likely to have an impact on the Catalans' interest in Kimmich, even though it has already been rumoured that the 34-year-old Busquets could move to FC Bayern - alongside Joshua Kimmich.
Kimmich is considered unsaleable at FC Bayern
Either way, Xavi's dreams are likely to remain (at least for the time being), because Kimmich is considered unsaleable at FC Bayern according to several consistent media reports, and the midfield strategist himself also sees his (near) future in Munich. The plan with Kimmich according to Sport1 is and remains the same: The 28-year-old is to lead coach Thomas Tuchel's team in the coming years. This applies both in midfield and as the first captain as soon as Thomas Müller and Manuel Neuer end their careers.
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Kimmich's contract with FC Bayern runs until 2025, and recently there have been increasing reports that numerous top European clubs have their eye on the German international and midfielder. This year, however, there will be no change under any circumstances. And in the summer of 2024? Questionable. If the player and the club cannot agree on a contract extension, the record champions would then actually have to think about a sale. Because no one will let him go on a free transfer. (msb/dpa)
