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Tom OlverPublished Mar 22, 2024, 6:56pm|Updated Mar 22, 2024, 7:01pm
Joshua Kimmich has refused to rule out a possible departure from Bayern Munich this summer, but insists he is ‘relaxed’ about the situation.
The 29-year-old, widely regarded as one of the finest midfielders in European football, has entered into the final 18 months of his contract at the Allianz Arena and talks have stalled over a possible extension.
It’s understood Europe’s elite clubs are keeping close tabs on developments, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona all plotting moves for Kimmich ahead of the summer transfer window.
In January, Newcastle launched an ambitious bid to prise Kimmich away from Bayern, but the Germany international was not willing to quit the Bundesliga champions midway through the campaign.
Considering Kimmich could leave on a free transfer in 2025, though, Bayern may be tempted to cash in on their prized possession when they have the chance in the summer.
Thomas Tuchel’s impending departure has only complicated the situation in Munich, but Kimmich is trying to keep a cool head as Bayern battle to make up ground on Xabi Alonso’s rampant Bayer Leverkusen.
‘For me, the situation is very clear. I still have over a year left on my contract, so I’m relaxed about it,’ Kimmich told German newspaper Die Welt.
‘As of now, it is still unclear who will be our new coach from the summer. It is, of course, very interesting and important to know who it will be.
‘My first priority now is to make the season as positive as possible, in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League.
‘Then comes the Euros. These are the things that matter.’
According to Kimmich, Bayern have broken with tradition in recent times, with Niko Kovac, Hansi Flick, Julian Nagelsmann and Tuchel all coming and going in the space of six years.
‘So many coaches in so few years – that is clearly atypical for Bayern,’ he added.
‘However, I think that this seems to be a general trend in football, that coaches are no longer around as long and there is hardly any patience, apart from Liverpool, Manchester City, Heidenheim or Freiburg. These are the exceptions.’
Second-placed Bayern trail Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen by ten points after 26 games and Kimmich finds it difficult to come to terms the gap between the two teams.
Asked whether it annoys him to look at the current Bundesliga table, he replied: Very, absolutely.
‘When you start the season with Bayern, you want to become champion.
‘But I also have to say that Bayer Leverkusen are having an outstanding season. We’re not doing great.
He added: ‘There are still points up for grabs – we haven’t written them off yet.
‘But, of course, we see that Leverkusen are on a run.
‘We go into every game to win. We can’t influence what Leverkusen do.’
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