Barcelona and Real Madrid on red alert for FED UP contract rebel

Tom Weber

Updated: 18 Nov 2024 19:51 GMT
3 min read

Joshua Kimmich feels underappreciated by Bayern Munich and could seek to leave the club in 2025, according to German media.

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2024 has been a turbulent year for the German. Earlier in the year, reports surfaced that Bayern were looking to offload him in the summer as his contract is up in 2025.

While Kimmich is certainly appreciated around Europe, only PSG were really willing to entertain the thought of making a move, but contract talks with the player, who does not have an agent, didn't take place.

Thus, the 29-year-old remained at the club and Bayern's stance softened quickly, aided by his encouraging performances under Vincent Kompany. Kimmich was no longer deemed dispensable and the German giants are now keen to retain the versatile player.

Kimmich holding grudges

However, the problem is that the club's previous actions can't be easily ignored. Indeed, as Kimmich himself admitted recently, the fact that Bayern were looking to get rid of him in the summer left its mark.

"We all know what my situation was like 8-10 weeks ago," he said on international duty. "One had the feeling: 'when will Kimmich finally be gone?' Now things are different again."

"[The new contract] is a very important decision in my career. It should be well thought out. Of course, the past plays a role. And the future does as well.“

As Sky Germany points out, Kimmich feels underappreciated by the club and this could heavily influence whether or not he pens an extension. Moreover, Bayern want to lower their expenditure on wages but a pay cut for Kimmich is completely out of the question.

In fact, in the summer, it was claimed that he was actually gunning for a pay rise to be brought in line with top earner Harry Kane, which was an unacceptable demand for the club at that point.

Despite his gripes, Kimmich is settled in Munich, so Bayern remain his priority for now. Should no agreement be reached, however, things could turn sour quickly.

Indeed, the above-mentioned report states that clubs are already waiting in the wings, ready to pounce. Barcelona and Real Madrid are 'closely monitoring the situation,' while a move to the Premier League would also appeal to Kimmich.

Read more about: La Liga, Bundesliga, Barcelona, Bayern, Real Madrid, Joshua Kimmich