Barcelona are reportedly interested in signing midfielder Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich.
The versatile German joined Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2015, and has gone on to become an important player for the club as well as the German national team.
According to Spanish website AS, Kimmich is a target for Barcelona and could make a move for the 24-year-old in the summer transfer window.
The German’s contract with Bayern expires in 2023, and the Catalans will have to pay a huge transfer fee to sign him.
Kimmich has made 190 appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 19 goals and making 45 assists. He has won four Bundesliga titles with the club since joining them.
Since making his debut for the German national team in 2016, Kimmich has gone on to make 48 appearances for the 2014 World Cup winners.
Is Joshua Kimmich a right fit for the club?
Joshua Kimmich is a gifted footballer, whose versatility is his biggest trump card. Capable of playing as a midfielder, defensive midfielder, or right-back, Kimmich has excelled in each of those roles and could be a first-choice option for most sides in Europe. He even played as a centre-back during Pep Guardiola’s reign as Bayern Munich manager.
Kimmich is a player who likes to keep hold of the ball and rarely gives it away, and can spray balls around – long and short – with his wide range of passing.
His vision and clever passing has often caught opposition defenders off guard. He is also strong at dribbling with the ball and moving forward into empty spaces, while also being technically strong.
Kimmich averages 78.5 passes per game in the league this season, completing 90% of his passes, while averaging 6 long balls per game.
The German could be a very good signing for Barcelona as he has all the ingredients needed to settle into the Barca style of play. With Ivan Rakitic all but certain to leave Barcelona, and the future of Arturo Vidal not very clear, Barcelona need to add another central midfielder to their ranks in the summer.
Kimmich could very well be that player as he provides cover and competition for midfield and right-back positions.
Perhaps Barcelona could tempt Bayern by placing a bid that involves Philippe Coutinho going in the other direction to bring Kimmich to Nou Camp.