It’s no longer news that Barcelona are a team right now with some obvious problems. They are on a poor run of form and at the moment are looking for solutions in the short term. If their problems persist till the end of the season, there will definitely be changes not only on the coaching staff(although Barcelona might not till the campaign ends) but in player personnel too.
One of the problem positions for them is the fullback positions, precisely right back.
Nelson Semedo has been inconsistent over the last few months and his defensive frailties have been exposed time and again by the opponents. It is always the Catalans’ right flank that is being targeted by teams and that is due to the sole reason that Nelson Semedo is caught napping and out of his position several times.
Sergi Roberto has been used as a makeshift right fullback by Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, but the player prefers playing at right midfield despite his versatility.
Recruitment in that position could do Barcelona a world of good especially if it is the right one. As long as they do not get a really young player that would become an understudy and not play much, there will be competition for the Portuguese to make him sit up and improve his performances with his place in the squad under serious threat.
Diario GOL recently reported that Barcelona captain Lionel Messi has requested for the signing of Bayern star Joshua Kimmich. The German international like Sergi Roberto is a midfielder playing at right-back as he made his name in that position. He is also regarded as one of the best in the world at right fullback as well.
Ever since Dani Alves left the club, there has been a huge void in that position and Barcelona’s attempts at filling it (with honourable mentions to Martin Montoya and Alex Vidal) have not worked so far.
Kimmich, 24, has won all there is to win at Bayern bar a European title and is an indispensable member of the German national team. He is also able to play in a possession-based system. He has a reputation and talent that surpasses that Barcelona’s current full-backs. Bayern, despite their current troubles, are still considered to be clear favourites by most German online bookmakers like EagleBet.com to win the Bundesliga title this season – keeping Kimmich would make it more likely that the 3/1 odds are good value right now.
Sergi Roberto might stand to benefit from such a development as well. With Ivan Rakitic on his way and Kimmich on his way in, the Spaniard could permanently play in his favourite position.
Kimmich is a very important player for Bayern and he will not be easy to acquire. The 24-year-old is rated at €70m via transfermarkt and still has a running contract till 2023 as per the same source. Based on that, he won’t come cheap in any way.
Luckily for Barcelona, they have a tool which they can bargain with the Bavarians with. Philippe Coutinho.
The 28-year-old has previously revealed that Bayern have been more of a home to him than any of his other clubs including Liverpool. This could mean that he will be interested in making his loan move to the club permanent and it could play into Barcelona’s hands.
How a tradeoff between Barca and Bayern could benefit both sides
A deal involving both parties could work if Kimmich plus cash is offered to Barcelona for €90m rated Coutinho. Depending on how desperate Barcelona are for the German, they could make it a straight swap. How the deal goes will most likely depend on who makes the first approach. Coutinho does have an option to buy clause in his contract but this negotiation might see Bayern not pay that much for the superstar Brazillian.
If Bayern get Coutinho in a swap deal plus cash, they will still have enough in the bank to purchase Leroy Sane and/or Kai Havertz who are key targets for them. The squad will instantly be refreshed with world-class talent under a new manager.
Barcelona will get a top-class player without spending a penny and also get rid of an unwanted player. There will also be a chance for them to sign a new player upfront and bolster their attacking as well as defensive options.
Who knows? Semedo might regain his form while Kimmich is at the club and the German could move into Barcelona’s midfield alongside Frenkie De Jong and Sergio Busquets. That could be something.
However it goes, It is a deal that will definitely benefit both teams.
