Fresh interest from Barcelona for Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich with two alternatives in mind
Barcelona have been linked with the Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich for some time, and was declared to the liking of the former manager Xavi Hernandez. Despite the arrival of Hansi Flick, who managed him at Bayern, interest in the 29-year-old has cooled.
Out of contract in 2025, Kimmich is described as closer to leaving the club this summer, with no sign of a new deal. In Germany, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with him – Bayern have apparently set the asking price at €30-40m.
Barcelona, however, are not planning a move for him this summer. MD say that Xavi was his main advocate in Can Barca, and currently Amadou Onana and Mikel Merino are the preferred targets. The former is considered unlikely with Bayern, United and Arsenal also in the picture, and Everton's demands are high.
Barcelona will try to sign Onana if there is enough FFP margin. If not, Merino is the alternative. @ffpolo
— Barcacentre (@barcacentre) June 28, 2024
Merino is considered a serious alternative to Onana, and would be much cheaper, since he is also entering the last year of his agreement with Real Sociedade.
It recently came to light that the manager of Arsenal Mikel Arteta named Merino about a movement, and his signature would not be without competition. While Kimmich is undoubtedly a talented midfielder, he also mimics some of the qualities they already have in midfield, while Merino and Onana offer more solid options without the ball.
