It is apparent that for the most part, FC Barcelona have covered their most fundamental needs for the upcoming season in terms of recruits brought in with the limited financial resources that were at their disposal.
The arrival of Oriol Romeu from Girona to ensure the acquisition of a specialist central defensive midfielder who is also stylistically adept and aware of the Barcelona way of playing, as well as the introduction of Ilkay Gundogan as a free transfer from Manchester City to bolster the midfield as a whole with a player that can easily be accessible across all fronts of the midfield, have been two undeniably integral signings.
However, in particular, when it came to replacing the departed Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez’s priority alternatives did not initially include Oriol Romeu. Rather, it included a few very specific players, out of which one hailed from the Bavarian club of Bayern Munich; Joshua Kimmich.
At the time, the player was deemed not for sale and Barcelona moved on from him also considering that he was well beyond their financial means to acquire. However, not too long after, speculation suggested Bayern had indeed placed him on the transfer market.
Yet, in a recent public statement, as highlighted by Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Kimmich himself put to rest any doubts about his future in Bavaria.
The 28-year-old midfielder stated that he would indeed be staying at Bayern Munich next season and that he does not have any intentions to move elsewhere. His statement was: “I’m sure I’ll play for Bayern next season. I have no other plans.”
Currently, in his ninth season for the German Bundesliga side, the midfielder is currently one of the captains and leading figures of Bayern Munich.
While Barcelona would have ideally liked to have Kimmich represent them, it seems that the sage involving him will continue to exist as a possible “what if” scenario more than anything else. The midfielder himself has always been a fan of Xavi Hernandez however, so it will be interesting to see if a future encounter awaits them at any point in time.