Barcelona alerted! Bayern transfer-list Kimmich after post-game bust-up

Tom Weber

• Updated: 19 Feb 2024 19:16 GMT
• 3 min read

Joshua Kimmich's relationship with Thomas Tuchel is said to be completely broken after a major bust-up with the latter's assistant Zsolt Low.

The Bayern Munich midfielder's future is becoming increasingly clear, though not in the way many had anticipated. Rumours about a potential summer exit have been abounding all season, with Kimmich seemingly not particularly favoured by head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Already in the summer of 2023, Tuchel had desperately wanted a new holding midfielder, which raised some big questions over his plans for Kimmich, a player who had been the go-to link between the boss and the players under previous regimes. Under Tuchel, the 29-year-old has lost his importance.

Though Bayern had wanted to extend Kimmich's deal, which expires in 2025, they wanted to do it on their terms. Given his drop in performance levels this season, they were not willing to cede to his demands and bring him in line with top earner Harry Kane. Now, it seems this point has become moot.

Kimmich to leave

In light of Bayern's recent slump, losing three successive games, Kimmich is reportedly nearing a summer exit. After the weekend's embarrassing 3-2 defeat to Bochum, in which the midfielder was hauled off after 63 minutes, Kimmich and Bayern assistant Zsolt Low engaged in a heated war of words in the stadium tunnel and had to be separated by captain Manuel Neuer.

According to BILD, the relationship between Kimmich and Tuchel is now broken beyond repair and something has got to give. With Bayern very publically keeping the faith in the coach, the 29-year-old will have to go, especially as a contract extension seems as distant as ever now.

The German will have no shortage of suitors. Barcelona are long-term admirers and a move would make sense given the renewed speculation surrounding Frenkie de Jong, but if the Dutchman does not leave, it seems doubtful that they would be able to afford Kimmich. Man City have also been tentatively linked as Pep Guardiola is still fond of his former protégé, though the player's age could prove an issue.