Joshua Kimmich (30, Bayern Munich) made a bombshell statement about his future.
The 'Bavarian Football Works,' which covers Bayern news, reported on the 6th (Korea time) that 'Kimmich spoke about his contract situation right after the match against Bayer Leverkusen.'
On this day, Bayern achieved a 3-0 victory against Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) Round of 16 held at the Fußball Arena Munich in Munich, Germany for the 2024-2025 season. This puts Bayern in a favorable position, as they can advance to the quarterfinals even with a 2-goal loss in the second-leg away match.
After the match, Kimmich shared his thoughts on his future during a mixed zone interview. His contract with Bayern expires at the end of this season, but there has not yet been news of a renewal. Therefore, many transfer rumors are circulating. Some critics suggest that Kimmich may be trying to negotiate for a bit more money.
However, Kimmich dismissed this. He said, "I'm not trying to squeeze every last euro. I know that Director Max Eberl is very honest and fights hard. I really appreciate that," and added, "I also don't have the impression that I am being completely greedy. I'm not trying to extract money until the end. Eberl knows this too. We had very good conversations."
Kimmich also mentioned, "My plan was to make a decision before the international break. The club did not want that. That is fair. I am grateful that they have given me a lot of time. After a difficult period last season, it was important to start this season well and rebuild the relationship."
Now, Kimmich's future is expected to soon take shape. He stated, "The club wanted to make a decision before the two matches against Leverkusen. An injury complicated things for me. But a decision will be made soon," adding, "I don't know if it will be decided before the second leg against Leverkusen. But it will be made by the latest before the international break."
Lastly, Kimmich provided a decisive response. When asked if other clubs are also influencing his future, he said, "Yes. I won’t mention which clubs," keeping his answer vague. It was an honest acknowledgment of the possibility of a transfer.
Kimmich is the captain of the German national team and a key asset for Bayern. He has grown into a franchise star since joining Bayern in 2015. Starting as a right-back, he transformed into a central midfielder, earning the nickname "the second Philipp Lahm." He continues to alternate between defender and midfielder depending on the team’s needs.
This season, Kimmich has also been indispensable under new coach Vincent Kompany. He has played in all 23 Bundesliga matches, logging the most playing time on the team (2,023 minutes). He is also one of the popular leaders in the locker room. Kim Min-jae has stated that "Kimmich is a great friend who always encourages me."
Naturally, Bayern has been pushing for a contract renewal with Kimmich since last season. However, his discord with former coach Thomas Tuchel caused delays. This has led to rumors that Real Madrid might try to sign Kimmich as a free agent.
Recently, it seemed Bayern might succeed in retaining Kimmich. Local reports in Germany indicated Bayern was on the verge of renewing his contract, promising a wage increase. There were also predictions that an official announcement would come within a week. Many fans were hoping for a second contract extension since 2021.
However, Kimmich's passive attitude has put everything at risk of falling apart. 'Bild' reported last week that "Bayern held a quarterly board meeting last Monday. Discussions about Kimmich were also included. The decision is clear. The offer will not be improved any further. The current offer has been withdrawn due to Kimmich's prolonged hesitation."
Naturally, the possibility of a breakdown in negotiations has increased. 'Bild' stated, "The door for renewal is not completely closed yet. The club and Kimmich are still negotiating after the previous offer was canceled. However, it's uncertain if he can return to the conditions of the previous offer," emphasizing that "Kimmich is reported to have received offers from foreign clubs. His situation is complex. The likelihood of a happy ending with Bayern has diminished slightly."
'Sky Sports Germany' reported that the foreign club approaching Kimmich is Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where Lee Kang-in plays. The media stated, "PSG formally offered a transfer to Kimmich. The proposed contract term is until 2029. Kimmich has not yet responded."
Not only PSG but also Arsenal is reportedly interested in him. However, both Real Madrid and Liverpool, which were mentioned as likely destinations, seem to have withdrawn from pursuing Kimmich. According to 'TZ' in Germany, Kimmich sent counter-proposals to the two clubs, but the negotiations did not progress.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Fabrizio Romano's social media.
[OSEN = Go Seong-hwan Reporter]