‘What is he waiting for?’ – Arsenal target told to reject free transfer in summer

Lothar Matthaus has urged Joshua Kimmich to put the speculation over his future to bed, insisting there is ‘no other club’ in world football that can offer the midfielder ‘better prospects’ than Bayern Munich.

Kimmich has established himself as a cornerstone of Bayern’s side since swapping RB Leipzig for the Allianz Arena a decade ago, making 435 appearances in all competitions for the German giants.

In that time, the versatile 30-year-old has lifted 20 pieces of silverware, including eight Bundesliga crowns and the Champions League in 2019/20.

Kimmich looks certain to add another league title to his illustrious CV this season, with Bayern sitting eight points clear of reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga.

However, there remains uncertainty over Kimmich’s long-term future in Munich given the Germany international is out of contract at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Talks over a possible extension have so far come to nothing and Arsenal are reportedly keeping close tabs on the situation, eyeing a potential free transfer when the summer window opens for business.

But Matthaus is adamant there is no better place to be for Kimmich than Bayern and believes ‘patience will run out’ if the player does not find a resolution soon.

‘At Bayern, the pending contract extension with Joshua Kimmich is currently the biggest problem,’ the legendary ex-Bayern and Germany midfielder wrote in his Sky Deutschland column.

‘Kimmich has to make a decision. There is no more grey, only black or white.

‘He has been given time but at some point patience runs out. Both sides have lawyers who can write a contract down to the smallest detail within a week.’

Matthaus added: ‘Since I have known Bayern, they have rarely waited as long for players as they have now for Kimmich. Now the time has come to make a decision.

‘I don’t know what Kimmich is still waiting for, what little details are involved. There is no other club that can offer him better prospects than Bayern.

Maybe it’s the signing fee, the players talk to each other, and then it’s also about vanity.

Matthaus fears the rumours could prove a distraction within Vincent Kompany’s squad if Kimmich does not sign a renewal before Bayern’s Champions League last-16 tie with Bundesliga rivals Leverkusen.

‘Kimmich has been one of the most important players to wear the Bayern jersey for years, mainly because of his mentality,’ Matthaus continued.

‘I would see it as a strong sign if an agreement could be reached before the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Bayer Leverkusen.

‘That would help to squeeze out the last few per cent of motivation.

‘Kimmich knows that it would cause a lot of unrest in the club if he decided against Bayern now.

‘He would certainly save this decision until after the games against Leverkusen.’

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl last week said he was hopeful that a resolution could be found between the club and Kimmich.

‘Generally speaking, nobody is above the club. If a player decides differently, then he decides differently,’ Eberl told German newspaper Bild.

‘Things will continue at Bayern. We are not at that point with Kimmich.

‘I’ve never given updates on negotiations, won’t be doing that now either because that’s inappropriate.

‘We treat each other with big respect – we’re talking. What’s important is how Josh and we as a club treat each other.’

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