Barcelona Transfer News Roundup: Catalans receive Joshua Kimmich boost, club face Jonathan Tah competition, and more - September 11, 2024
Barcelona are preparing to get the better of Girona when the two teams lock horns at the Estadio Montilivi on Sunday, September 15, in La Liga. Hansi Flick's team have been on a flawless run this season, picking up four wins in as many games in the league.
Meanwhile, the Catalans have received some hearty news in their pursuit of Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich. Elsewhere, the Spanish giants will face competition from the Premier League in the race for Jonathan Tah.
On that note, let's look at the major Barcelona transfer stories from September 11, 2024.
Barcelona receive Joshua Kimmich boost
Joshua Kimmich would prefer a move to Barcelona next summer, according to former scout Bojan Krkic Senior. The Catalans are long-term admirers of the 29-year-old and were also linked with the player this summer.
Kimmich has entered the final year of his contract with Bayern Munich and hasn't agreed to a renewal yet. He is likely to be available as a free agent in the summer of 2025 if things remain the same.
The La Liga giants are hoping to secure the German midfielder in a Bosman move next year. Barcelona are yet to replace the legendary Sergio Busquets and Kimmich is tailor made for the job. He apparently has admirers at Real Madrid as well.
However, speaking recently as cited by Mundo Deportivo, Bojan Senior backed the 29-year-old to move to Camp Nou.
“Kimmich really wants to join Barca. Great German and French footballers, when you ask where they want to play, they generally say Barca. Real Madrid also appear as a top option, but in general, the player wants to play for Barca, for its history, for the club, for its greatness,” said Bojan Senior.
Kimmich's wage demands, however, could be a problem for the Catalans.
Catalans face Jonathan Tah competition
Barcelona will face competition from the Premier League in the race to sign Jonathan Tah, according to SPORT. The German defender has entered the final year of his contract with Bayer Leverkusen and has already declared that he won't sign an extension.
The Catalans were interested in the player over the summer, but failed to get a deal across the line. They are now planning to sign him on a Bosman deal at the end of this season.
The 28-year-old was a rock at the back for the Bundesliga champions last season and could be a hit at Camp Nou. However, he will not be short of options next year, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all eyeing him with interest.
Deco opens up on Dani Olmo arrival
Barcelona sporting director Deco believes Dani Olmo's arrival has added balance to the Catalans' team. The Spanish midfielder returned to Camp Nou this summer from RB Leipzig and has hit the ground running.
Olmo has already scored twice in his first two games for the La Liga giants and looks like a perfect fit in Hansi Flick's tactics. The 26-year-old was eager to rejoin Barcelona this summer, which helped the club win the race for his services.
Speaking to BarcaOne, Deco also added that the Catalans were eager not to lose any important player this year.
“I think that the signing of Dani Olmo gives us enough balance in midfield, gives us a profile quite different from those we already had in this area. So with this, we also gained in offensive quality,” said Deco.
He continued:
“There were offers for players but we were clear that we did not want to lose any important player. If in recent years we have been building a team, the idea was not to undo it, but to increase the level and not lower it.”
Olmo rose through the ranks at La Masia but left in 2014 before he could earn his first team bow.