FC Barcelona Interested in Summer Partnership With Bayern Munich Ace

• Barcelona are looking to make reinforcements to their first-team squad
• Sergio Busquets has announced he will be leaving at the end of the season
• A Bayern Munich star remains the prime option to replace Barca's captain

FC Barcelona are looking to make reinforcements to their first team squad, which on Sunday sealed its maiden La Liga title in four years, with a 4-2 away win at bitter rivals, Espanyol.

During the week, captain Sergio Busquets announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season after almost 15 years in the starting lineup. This leaves a gaping hole in the midfield, and in particular the Spaniard's deeper, more defensive position of pivot.

Kimmich to replace Busquets?

La Blaugrana have been linked with Bayern Munich ace, Joshua Kimmich, who reportedly wants to leave his club, according to Mundo Deportivo.

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Barca manager, Xavi has already knocked back the prospect of selling left-winger, Ansu Fati for €30 million ($32.5 million) and receiving Ruben Neves in return from Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to El Nacional.

Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is a desired target, but Kimmich trumps pretty much everyone else if available.

Not only is he one of the world's best technicians in the centre of the park, but the Bayern number 6 can play at right-back too - a position where Barca badly need cover.

Central defender, Jules Kounde has been filling in there this season, but is expected to occupy his usual area of the pitch soon, especially if Andreas Christensen is moved on.

Kimmich 'perfect' for Barca

Mundo Deportivo complimented Kimmich for being 'very reliable' because of his technical and physical qualities.

The German international, who would be the perfect partner for Frenkie de Jong in a double pivot as Busquets has been this season, 'dominates the positional game and 'watches' at all times where his teammates are'.

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It also notes that Kimmich is akin to a La Masia graduate who plays with his head up, to 'control what happens around him before receiving the ball'.

At 28, he is reaching his peak in the sport, but his contract, which runs until mid-2025, and his status as one of an elite European outfit's star players, means he won't come cheap.

Mundo Deportivo reports that he wants to leave Bavaria, however, and he admitted in an interview with So Foot last year that he was open to playing abroad.

Xavi's admiration for Kimmich

Kimmich has unanimous admiration from the coaches at Barca, who could make a move for him now or bide their time until next summer when his price tag would be reduced. They could also pick him up on a free two years down the line.

Until then, Barca need to think about who will accompany De Jong, which could mean that Nico Gonzalez is recalled from his loan assignment at Valencia.

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Barcelona to fund Messi transfer

Earlier Sports Brief reported that Barcelona are pushing to raise money to fund the transfer of Lionel Messi, as the Argentine forward nears the end of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

In 2021, the Catalan club’s financial woes were the main reason Messi left to pitch his tent in France. Barcelona want to reunite with their former captain when he becomes a free agent.

According to SB Nation, Barcelona are considering selling French defender, Jules Kounde, who only joined the club from Sevilla last summer, to raise the money to sign Messi.