Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is facing a crunch call on his future at the Allianz Arena.
The Germany international has won eight Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League crown as part of an incredible decade in Bavaria.
However, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Kimmich is now eligible to open free transfer talks with other clubs, as he assesses his long-term options.
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Real Madrid have registered their interest in an offer to the 29-year-old, alongside rivals Liverpool, but both sides are also dependent on Trent Alexander-Arnold's own renewal decision at Anfield.
Kimmich has confirmed he is in talks with Bayern Munich over a new deal but no progress has been made as Los Blancos watch on from a distance.
Carlo Ancelotti is rumoured to be undeterred despite looking set to lose out on a separate free transfer offer for Kimmich’s teammate Alphonso Davies at the start of 2025.
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Kimmich, Alexander-Arnold and Davies: The fullback merry-go-round
Alexander-Arnold remains his No.1 target, but Kimmich’s flexibility to play at right-back and in midfield makes him an attractive choice, regardless of what happens with Liverpool’s No.66.
The situation has taken a fresh twist this weekend, after Kimmich stated he ‘will not offer an update every three days’ on his future, but he indicated a decision is close, and Bayern Munich director Christoph Freund believes that will be to stay in Germany.
“I’m positive he will decide in favour of Bayern Munich,” Freund told Sky Germany.
“This is a fundamental decision for his career. He knows exactly what he has at Bayern, with the club, the team and the coach. He feels very comfortable here.
“We don’t have a specific timeframe, but we don’t want to drag this out forever.”
No call on Kimmich is expected to be made before the closure of the Bundesliga transfer window on February 3, so it will come down to accepting an extension in Munich in 2025, or embarking on a new challenge in the summer.
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