Joshua Kimmich has not yet renewed his contract at Bayern Munich, which runs out in 2025. With reports suggesting the German could opt for a career change for the first time in almost a decade, we pose the question, where will Joshua Kimmich move to?
Will Kimmich leave Bayern Munich?
Kimmich’s situation has left a long line of Europe’s elite enquiring their interest in the 29-year-old.
The right-back-turned-holding midfielder has spent nearly 10 years at Bayern Munich, signing for the Bavarians in 2015 from RB Leipzig. Under the guidance of then-manager Pep Guardiola – whom Kimmich credits for nurturing his peerless positional sense – he quickly blossomed into one of Europe’s smoothest midfield operators.
According to Nacional, Kimmich has already agreed to leave the club in the summer in order for Bayern Munich to profit off his departure, although nothing concrete has been reported.
In a turbulent season for Bayern Munich, which will almost certainly see them relinquish their 11-year monopoly over the Bundesliga to Bayer Leverkusen, Kimmich has struggled for consistent game time under Thomas Tuchel – who coincidentally will exit the club this summer.
Kimmich feels as though his stay with Bayern Munich has reached his conclusion and wants a move away from Germany.
Where Will Joshua Kimmich Move to?
Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenburg has hinted that a Premier League move is likely for Kimmich. Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are all long-term admirers, and his availability has pricked the ears of the English elite.
So too Real Madrid and Barcelona, with the latter long thought of as the natural next step for the German. The Blaugrana’s well-documented financial shortcomings will put a spanner in the works, although a mass exodus of names is expected this summer which could help facilitate a deal.
Plettenburg claims that Kimmich has already snubbed clubs looking in from the outside, such Manchester United, Chelsea and PSG.
Manchester City are currently favourites to sign Kimmich, and a reunion with the manager who fuelled his growth is a scary thought for the rest of the Premier League.
Where he would fit in remains a different question entirely however, with Rodri occupying the holding role, and Kyle Walker commanding the right-side of defence. Luckily for Kimmich, you are unlikely to find a player more versatile, and Guardiola is known to pluck positions out of thin air.
Arsenal meanwhile are keen to bring in another midfielder with the profile of Kimmich. Edu and the sporting hierarchy have a preference for younger players, with links to Martin Zubimendi and Douglas Luiz refusing to disappear.
However, the prospect of signing a player with Kimmich’s wealth of experience may be too tantalising.
Liverpool drooped a considerable sum on bolstering their midfield last summer – whether they choose to enter the fold for his signature is unclear.
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