BARCELONA are lining up a double transfer raid on Bayern Munich, according to reports.
The Spanish giants have identified two major stars as key targets.
However, they will wait until the summer before launching their bids.
According to Fabrizio Romano, there are no talks ongoing between the two European heavyweights on deadline day – six months on from their bitter row regarding Robert Lewandowski’s move.
Instead, Barca plan to try and strike at the end of the season for duo Benjamin Pavard and Joshua Kimmich.
It is reported that French defender Pavard is open to the switch to the Nou Camp.
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Versatile ace Kimmich, meanwhile, has emerged as a top priority for the 2023-24 season.
The former RB Leipzig player has shone throughout this seven-and-a-half years with Bayern, winning the Bundesliga in each season.
Pavard, 26, arrived from Stuttgart in 2019 – a year after winning the World Cup – and the pair combined in the Champions League-winning campaign in 2020.
However, the double deal could be scuppered by Barcelona’s torrid financial situation.
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Directo Gol report it would be “economically impossible” to bring Kimmich in.
The Germany star, 27, earns a reported £330,000 per week at the Allianz Stadium and is tied down until 2025.
Pavard, though, will enter the final 12 months of his £84,000-a-week contract this summer and is therefore far more affordable.
And Bayern may be more open to selling him after signing Joao Cancelo from Manchester City, initially on loan with an option to buy.
BARCA MONEY MESS
Barcelona have already been told they must reduce their annual spending on wages next season by £158million to comply with financial regulations.
The LaLiga leaders sold off various rights and deals last summer – including shares in a TV company and the stadium name – to help operate amid their £1billion debt.
Barcelona signed Franck Kessie, Andreas Christensen, Raphinha, Jules Kounde, Marcos Alonso, Hector Bellerin and Lewandowski last summer.
The £42.5million deal for the Polish striker left the Bundesliga champions fuming – and could scupper Barca’s chances of signing Pavard or Kimmich.
Bayern – who were already angry at Barca regarding the failed European Super League breakaway – could not believe the Spanish side were allowed to seal the transfer.
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Boss Julian Nagelsmann raged: “Barcelona, the only club that has no money but then buys every player they want.
“I do not know how [they do it]. It‘s kind of weird, kind of crazy.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
