FC Barcelona have been linked to the signing of Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich by Mundo Deportivo.

The Blaugrana are currently looking to make reinforcements to their first team squad, which on Sunday sealed its first La Liga title through a 4-2 win away at bitter rivals Espanyol.

During the week, captain Sergio Busquets announced that he would be leaving at the end of the season after almost 15 years in the starting lineup, which leaves a gaping hole in the midfield and in particular the Spaniard's deeper, more defensive position.

Xavi has already knocked back the prospect of selling left winger Ansu Fati for €30 million ($32.5 million) and receiving Ruben Neves in return, according to El Nacional.

Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad is the desired target, but Kimmich trumps pretty much everyone if available.

Not only one of the world's best technicians in the center of the park, the Bayern number '6' can also fill in at right back where Xavi badly needs cover.

Central defender Jules Kounde has been filling in there this season, but is expected to occupy his usual area of the pitch especially if Andreas Christensen is moved on.

Mundo Deportivo compliment Kimmich for being "very reliable" because of his technical and physical qualities as a "very tactically intelligent footballer".

The Germany international, who would provide the perfect partner to Frenkie de Jong in a double pivot as Busquets has this season "dominates the positional game and 'watches' at all times where his teammates are", the Catalan paper adds while noting that Kimmich is akin to a La Masia graduate who plays with his head up to "control what happens around him before receiving the ball".

At 28, Kimmich is reaching his peak in the sport but his contract until 2025 and status as one of an elite European outfit's star players means he won't come cheap.

Last year, though, he admitted in an interview with So Foot that he was open to playing abroad, and Barca could still bide their time until next summer when his price tag would be reduced if not picking up on a free two years from now.

Until then, Barca need to think about accompanies De Jong, which could mean that Nico Gonzalez is recalled from loan at Valencia.