Barcelona’s failure to adequately address the defensive midfield position last year has culminated in a stark reality check this season.
The Catalan giants can no longer avoid the imminence of a trophyless season and it largely boils down to the club’s refusal to recruit a suitable successor for Sergio Busquets.
However, moving forward, Barcelona are aware they must not repeat their past errors and have thus prioritized the signing of a defensive midfielder in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Out of the shortlisted options, which include the likes of Martin Zubimendi and Amadou Onana, it appears Joshua Kimmich has garnered the most consensus from the Barcelona think tank.
Kimmich the chosen one
Indeed, according to Mundo Deportivo, the technical staff’s most favored defensive pivot midfielder is Joshua Kimmich.
After a detailed meeting, Deco and Xavi made it apparent that strengthening this position is now their top goal.
The Bayern Munich talisman is entering the last year of his contract and would reportedly cost around €30-35 million, which is a relatively affordable figure, compared to some of the other players on Barcelona’s radar.
Moreover, the fact that Kimmich has in the past labeled Xavi as his idol, while also rendering Barcelona an ideal destination for many players, strengthens his chances of joining the team.
However, doubts about his suitability for the role certainly arise, given that the German midfielder is more equipped to enforce progression than act as a ball-winner.
Guido Rodriguez the secondary option
Barcelona are unwilling to fortify the defensive midfield position with merely one signing, as they also intend to sign Real Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez on a free transfer.
Reports by SPORT have previously argued that Guido Rodriguez’s signing is a very advanced move.
The Argentine’s arrival would not, however, jeopardize the pursuit for a ‘top pivot’ as he would instead join as a rotation piece.
Time will tell who Barcelona chooses as their primary pivot option, but for now, Deco and Xavi look to have found consensus over Joshua Kimmich.
