Bayern Munich’s number six, Joshua Kimmich, has been at the club for nearly decade since his arrival from VFB Stuttgart, after being handpicked by Pep Guardiola. With eight Bundesliga titles, three German Cups, and a Champions League triumph to his name, the 30-year-old midfielder’s time at the club could be up.
Despite Bayern’s eagerness to secure his future, contract negotiations have reached an impasse, hinting that Kimmich might be eyeing a fresh challenge beyond Germany’s borders.
Before Bayern’s Champions League tie against Barcelona, Kimmich told the press that: “In football, you can never make the mistake of ruling out possibilities,” which has only fuelled speculation about his next move. Despite this, Vincent Kompany has said that Kimmich is a vital part of his Bayern side and he wants him to stay.
Of course he could stay at Bayern but with the contract talks stalemating for now, the prospect of Kimmich donning a new club’s colours becomes increasingly realistic. We’ve taken a look at six potential destinations for the versatile midfielder as his contract edges towards its summer expiration.
Liverpool
In most Liverpool fan’s dream scenario Trent Alexander-Arnold would sign a new contract, shirking any interest from Real Madrid, while the club also secures the services of Kimmich.
Unfortunately, it may be that only one of those is possible.
If Alexander-Arnold does head to Spain, Kimmich would be a welcome arrival, filling in at right-back for the Englishman. It’s a position he excelled in early in his career and under Thomas Tuchel, earning comparisons to Bayern legend Phillip Lahm, but he has since moved centrally as a defensive midfielder.
Kimmich now operates as a deep-lying playmaker and ball winner – not too dissimilar from Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch, who Kimmich played next to at Bayern 31 times.
There have been rumours of contact between Kimmich and the club and the German would also be able to provide a creative presence, similar to, if not bettering, Alexander-Arnold. Kimmich has registered five assists in the Bundesliga this season, just one behind Alexander-Arnold, but is outperforming him in Expected Assists (7.5 vs 6.4).
Kimmich wouldn’t get up the pitch quite as much as his English counterpart but would certainly have the defensive skillset that Alexander-Arnold has often been criticised for lacking. He would also be able to play as a centre back if the Liverpool back line resorted to being three at the back when a possible new attacking left-back is surging up the pitch.
If nothing else, Kimmich would provide plenty of competition and depth in defensive midfield which Liverpool has lacked recently and even during Klopp’s reign. This way, the Reds can avoid running Gravenberch into the ground, similar to Fabinho at the end of his Liverpool career.
As captain of his national team, Kimmich would also lend more leadership to a Liverpool dressing room that may be losing their vice-captain this summer.
Real Madrid
Of course, if Alexander-Arnold doesn’t go to Real Madrid there is a real possibility that the Madristas sign Kimmich to fill their own right-back vacancy.
With a cruciate ligament tear to Daniel Carvajal and hamstring issues for Lucas Vasquez, Madrid have forced midfielder Ernesto Valverde and centre-back Raul Ascencio to fill in.
Although Kimmich wouldn’t arrive until the end of his contract in the summer, Carlo Ancelotti would be keen to sign another world class talent to avoid another injury crisis like this season, which has seen them suffer from 36 separate injuries so far.
A move for Kimmich would align with Ancelotti’s recent signings of experienced players such as fellow German, Antonio Rudiger. Kimmich’s work ethic and mindset would also fit right in at the Bernabeu, and if he needs any further convincing, he need only look at Toni Kroos. The ex-Bayern midfielder departed in 2014, and had success, winning four La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies – before retiring last summer.
Perhaps playing in Spain is the next test Kimmich wants to challenge himself with, and with Modric potentially wrapping up his career this summer, could Kimmich be the next Galactico?
Although Real’s rivals Barcelona are also always in the wings for a bargain free transfer and a reunion with Hansi Flick, the coach who led Kimmich to the 2020 Treble, might be a compelling factor.
Manchester City
Whenever an elite player becomes available, Manchester City are never far from the conversation.
Having handpicked him at Bayern and previously describing him as having ‘everything’ – Pep is a big fan. Now after letting Kyle Walker depart for AC Milan and given City’s current struggles in midfield without Rodri, Kimmich might be the key Guardiola needs to re-ignite his side.
City’s dominance has wavered this season, with Guardiola’s side squandering leads and his midfield looking knackered in Rodri’s absence. The Ballon d’or winning midfielder remains irreplaceable, but Kimmich could be the perfect partner – even with Rodri back for the start of next season.
Already this season, Kimmich has topped the Bundesliga for the most Accurate Passes per 90 (104.8) and Accurate Long balls per 90 (6.1), which are both statistics that Rodri topped in the Premier League last season when he won the title and the Ballon D’or.
Although Kimmich doesn’t quite get involved in as many tackles during a game as Rodri, his work-rate is definitely up there with the Spaniard’s. Kimmich currently tops the Champions League charts for most distance covered having covered 101.5km. In fact, Kimmich has topped the distance statistic in the Champions League twice in the past five years including in 2019/20 when his Bayern team won the Treble.
Kimmich is also used to playing for teams that like to dominate possession with both City and Bayern topping the average possession charts in their respective leagues.
If Guardiola wants to reinforce his side with a player familiar to his system who can hit the ground running and solve his midfield woes, he should look towards his phone book.
Paris Saint-Germain
The French giants are yet another European club vying for Kimmich to join them. PSG’s obsession with the Champions League remains unfulfilled, and their midfield is currently a weak point. Could Kimmich be the missing ingredient?
The German was part of the Bayern side that beat PSG 1-0 in the 2019/20 Champions League final, and knows what it takes to win big trophies. However, despite interest last summer, Kimmich did turn down a move to the French side.
This season, the Parisians have struggled in Europe’s new League Phase, exposing their lack of control in midfield. Kimmich, as a natural leader, could bring much-needed stability to a young squad still finding its identity, despite a free-scoring attack.
It is Kimmich’s CV as a leader for his national team and Bayern Munich that would help stabilise and guide the youthful PSG side as they continue to push for European success.
At 30, he would also become PSG’s oldest and most experienced player, lending credibility to a squad that has often lacked veteran presence outside of its star attackers. But does Ligue 1 excite Kimmich enough? PSG can offer money and league trophies, but it’s unclear whether they can provide the competitive challenge he craves in Europe.
VFB Stuttgart
Before his success in Munich, Kimmich rose through the ranks at Stuttgart alongside future stars like Timo Werner and Serge Gnabry. Although it wouldn’t be until a loan move at then third division side RB Leipzig would allow Kimmich to prove himself in regular first team football.
A return to his boyhood club would be an emotional decision rather than a purely sporting one.
Stuttgart are now regulars in the Champions League but are merely a top-four side domestically and would benefit from Kimmich’s wealth of knowledge.
At the Neckarstadion, Kimmich would be a perfect fit in the side’s 4-3-2-1 or 4-4-2 with a double six by slotting in as one of those defensive midfielders. A midfield duo of Kimmich and Angelo Stiller—a former Bayern academy graduate—would be an elite foundation and would prove a tricky hurdle for any attack. Speaking about his compatriot before a national team match, Kimmich said he is a fan of Stiller’s confidence and technicality, he continued by saying “It’s important to have young players who are hungry and just enjoy playing”
Playing in that anchor role and perhaps captaining the club to a German Cup win and the top four in Germany would be a welcome send-off to the last four or five years of his career.
But can Stuttgart meet his ambitions? The club might secure a Champions League spot this season, but can they compete for trophies? Pushing for top four in the Bundesliga might not be enough for Kimmich who wants to win titles and give himself a new challenge if he was to leave Munich. Stuttgart might also wince at the prospect of paying his rumoured 350,000-euro wages.
A sentimental return isn’t impossible, but it’s unlikely—at least for now.
Al-Ahli
While the least likely destination, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli have been linked with Kimmich, looking to add another marquee name to their growing list of stars.
Unlike some European clubs, Al-Ahli wouldn’t struggle to match Kimmich’s wages. The German would join a squad featuring Ivan Toney and Riyad Mahrez, who have settled well in the Saudi Pro League.
However, there are issues. During the 2022 World Cup Kimmich led his national side in a protest against FIFA’s handling of LGBTQ+ rights during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. While he later admitted the protest was “a mistake”, it’s unclear whether Saudi authorities would welcome his arrival ahead of their 2030 World Cup.
As well as this Al-Ahli are currently struggling to register foreign players with captain Roberto Firmino axed from being registered for the league to make room for new signing Galeano. Kimmich won’t want to join a disorganised side for whom he might have to wait to be registered for.
While Saudi clubs have landed high-profile stars, Kimmich doesn’t fit the usual profile of af player looking for one last payday. For now, a move to the Middle East seems unlikely.