Barcelona is preparing for a crucial La Liga match against Atlético Madrid next Sunday at the Metropolitano Stadium in the 28th round of the competition. Currently, Barcelona is at the top of the La Liga standings with 57 points, level on goal difference with second-placed Real Madrid. Additionally, Hansi Flick’s team has a game in hand against Osasuna.
According to Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Barcelona’s potential move for Joshua Kimmich before he renewed his contract with Bayern Munich didn’t receive unanimous backing within the squad. Although the German midfielder could have joined for free this summer before signing his new contract with Bayern Munich, not everyone in the team supported the idea. Sources close to the club revealed that at least three players opposed Kimmich joining Joan Laporta’s team.
At 30, Kimmich remains one of Europe’s top midfielders with a wealth of experience and a strong track record. However, doubts were raised within the Barcelona locker room about his adaptability and the potential disruption to team cohesion. Some players were concerned that Kimmich’s strong personality could clash with the leadership of the team and negatively affect the dressing room atmosphere.
Additionally, there were worries that Kimmich, at 30, might lack the same ambition as younger players. Barcelona has been focusing on promoting youth, and some feared that his arrival could hinder the development of players like Marc Casado. Even though Hansi Flick advocated for his signing, some in the dressing room felt that Kimmich was not as much of a priority as other players like De Jong, Gavi, and Pedri. Others believed that Barcelona should prioritize strengthening other areas of the squad rather than midfield.
The newspaper reported that De Jong, Gavi, and Pedri were particularly opposed to signing Kimmich, as they felt it conflicted with Barcelona’s focus on developing young talent, a key aspect of Laporta’s vision for the club. Ultimately, Laporta and Flick agreed to the trio’s stance, leading to the rejection of Kimmich, who then renewed his contract with Bayern Munich until 2029.
