Pep Guardiola ‘recommends’ Real Madrid and Barcelona target as potential transfer option for Manchester City: Reports
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly recommended the club to sign Joshua Kimmich, who's also attracted interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid. The Spaniard is looking for a replacement for Rodri, who is out for this season after suffering an ACL injury.
Rodri suffered an ACL injury in September and his absence has been immensely felt in the Manchester City ranks. They have just one win in their last 11 games across competitions. The likes of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan have failed to ably replace the Spaniard.
Hence, Pep Guardiola is hoping to sign a replacement in the upcoming January transfer window. As per Mirror (via Tribal Football), he has 'recommended' Manchester City to sign Kimmich. The German midfielder had made 36 appearances under Guardiola during their time together at Bayern Munich.
Kimmich's contract with Bayern Munich expires in the summer after which, he could be available for free. He is also open to signing a pre-contract with a foreign club in January for a potential summer transfer. Manchester City, however, are hoping to sign him in January to revive their season.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been heavily linked with a potential move for Kimmich since last summer.
Joshua Kimmich and Max Eberl on the midfielder's future amidst Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City interest
Bayern Munich's sporting director Max Eberl recently stated that the German giants are looking to extend Joshua Kimmich's contract. He insisted that the midfielder could be the face of the club and their new captain. He said (via Bavarian Football Works):
"I think we are very, very open with him. We're telling him: We want to extend your contract. We're saying that he should become the captain of FC Bayern when Manuel Neuer is no longer on the pitch. And we're letting him know that he should become a face of our club. We have made that clear to him and we stand behind that."
Kimmich, meanwhile, recently said that he will decide on his future in January amidst interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester City. He said:
"I won't wait until summer. I will sit down with the club this winter and try to see the big picture. In January I will make the right decision."
Kimmich has made 413 appearances for Bayern Munich, scoring 42 goals and providing 109 assists.