According to Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona transfer target Joshua Kimmich will try to push his way out of Bayern Munich this summer in order to join the Catalans, similar to former teammate Robert Lewandowski.The German was named as Barcelona first team coach Xavi Hernandez's "priority signing" in the forthcoming transfer window in a front-page story on Saturday. According to El Nacional, Kimmich, an unhappy player in Bavaria, would "try to force his departure" from the Bundesliga winners in the coming weeks after eight years at the Allianz Arena.
Lewandowski did this a year ago after Barcelona expressed interest in him. "My story with Bayern has come to an end, and I cannot imagine any further good cooperation," he declared on May 30, 2022.
"I hope they don't just stop me (from leaving) because they can." "The best solution for everyone is a transfer," the veteran added.After some early reluctance, Bayern granted the goalscorer's demand for a 45 million ($48.5 million) transfer that could be worth 50 million ($54 million) with add-ons.
The operation was a huge success, with Lewandowski scoring 33 goals across all competitions. He won Spain's best scorer award, known as the Pichichi, when Barcelona won their first La Liga title in four years, as well as the Super Cup, in which he scored against arch rivals Real Madrid in the final.
Kimmich is apparently willing to do the same ahead of the next term in order to swap allegiances, which may be necessary given that his contract continues until mid-2025.This summer may conceivably be the last opportunity for Bayern to cash in on the 28-year-old midfielder they acquired from RB Leipzig for a criminally low 7 million ($7.5 million) in 2015. When rumors of Barcelona's interest in Kimmich first leaked, AS said that he is valued at 80 million ($86 million).According to Mundo Deportivo, Kimmich has surpassed Bernardo Silva as Xavi's preferred target in Europe.
In an interview with Movistar this week, the manager said that he needs a new pivot now that skipper Sergio Busquets is leaving, and he also admitted that "it is clear that we are missing a right back."
Kimmich checks both boxes, and saying Bayern he wants to move for Barcelona would be a big development three weeks after Mundo Deportivo first reported on Xavi and Co's interest in his talents.
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the great Swedish footballer, showed his gratitude to Ghanaian player Enoch Kofi Adu after receiving a poignant retirement note.
Ibrahimovic declared his retirement from professional football at the age of 41, just days before AC Milan's season-ending match against Hellas Verona. The announcement generated an outpouring of congratulations from fellow athletes and clubs, including a heartfelt note from Ghana's former U17 star, Kofi Adu.
"It was a blessing sharing some of your soccer career with you, it was a privilege to play on the same pitch against you, it's was an honor to share moments with you legend, your legacy lives on, enjoy your retirement Zlatan Ibrahimovic," the Ghanaian footballer posted on social media.
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