Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is set to leave the Bavarian capital, with five potential destinations including Arsenal on his radar this summer.
According to Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, the 29-year-old German international is reportedly interested in joining Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, or Barcelona as speculation about his future at Bayern intensifies.
Currently focused on international duty with Germany at Euro 2024, Kimmich is said to be open to leaving Bayern for a ‘suitable offer.’ His current £317,000-a-week contract expires in 2025, giving him several options over the next year, including a potential free transfer next summer if no deal is reached.
Plettenberg reports that Bayern Munich have ‘no plans’ to offer their current captain a contract extension, suggesting that Kimmich may not fit into new manager Vincent Kompany’s future plans.
Kompany, who took over from Burnley last month, is expected to make significant changes to the squad, with six players, including Kimmich, Kingsley Coman, Serge Gnabry, Leon Goretzka, Noussair Mazraoui, and Matthijs de Ligt, linked with summer departures.
Bayern have reportedly identified Joao Palhinha as a potential replacement for Kimmich in central midfield.
Plettenberg, writing on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted Arsenal as one of the possible destinations for Kimmich in the next 12 months: “As revealed and now confirmed again: Joshua Kimmich could leave FC Bayern already this summer! Kimmich, captain and regular starter, can leave the club with a suitable offer. No Bayern plans about a contract extension beyond 2025.
“Vincent Kompany has other plans for central midfield. Joao Palhinha, still the desired target! A separation between Kimmich/Bayern is getting closer. Now or next year at the latest. Kimmich would be ready to go into the final year of his contract. He only wants to join Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Barcelona.”
Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, are preparing for another active summer transfer window despite a slow start. The Gunners aim to bolster their midfield to complement last year’s record signing, Declan Rice, while the future of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey remains uncertain. Arsenal have been linked with several midfielders, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who is also on Barcelona’s radar.
Kimmich’s potential availability could significantly impact Arsenal’s transfer strategy. With just a year left on his contract, the 29-year-old midfielder could be available for a cut-price deal, potentially shaking up the summer transfer plans for the Premier League side.
