Barcelona have decided to step back from pursuing Martín Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich, as neither player is currently a priority for the club.
Zubimendi’s interest in a move to Barcelona has cooled after his negotiations with Arsenal and Real Madrid became public. Joan Laporta and Deco also see his €60 million price tag as unnecessary. Meanwhile, despite Hansi Flick’s preference for Kimmich, the deal has been put on hold due to the high financial demands from the player and his agent.
Instead, Barcelona is focusing on their in-house midfield options. Marc Casado has impressed in his debut season, even though his form has dipped recently, while Frenkie de Jong remains a reliable presence—though his long-term future is uncertain with his contract expiring in 2026.
Another emerging talent is Marc Bernal, whom Barcelona views as a potential successor to Sergio Busquets. Despite suffering a serious injury, he has regained form and earned Flick’s trust. As a result, the club is working on extending his contract, which expires in just over a year, securing him at Camp Nou until 2029.
With these options in mind, Barcelona sees no urgent need to invest in a new defensive midfielder at this time.
