"We’ll see how it goes" - Club director confirms talks with Arsenal and Barcelona target
Bayern Munich director Max Eberl has confirmed talks of a contract extension with reported Arsenal and Barcelona target Joshua Kimmich. He refused to delve into details but asserted that the German is an important part of the team.
Kimmich has been linked with a move away from Bayern, with his contract expiring next summer. There has been speculation around his future for a long time and it hasn't been cleared up yet. He was with the team on their pre-season tour in South Korea, though.
Arsenal and Barcelona are among the teams linked with a potential move for Kimmich. However, Bayern Munich president Max Eberl recently confirmed that he held talks with the German about his contract, saying (via HITC):
“Joshua has been an important player for us and should continue to be so in the future. He may have had a time recently that was not quite so satisfactory.
“But I think his perception does not do justice to what he actually has. The first conversation we had after the European Championships was very positive and open on both sides. We’ll see how it goes. But the fact is that Joshua should play an important role for us.”
Kimmich has made 390 appearances for Bayern since arriving from VfB Stuttgart in 2015, helping them win numerous trophies.
Joshua Kimmich on his future amidst Arsenal and Barcelona links
The Bavarians beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in Seoul in a pre-season friendly on August 3. After the game, he was asked about his future with Bayern Munich and he replied (via Bavarian Football Works):
“You can always talk to each other reasonably, all doors are open to everyone. Generally speaking, I feel really comfortable here. All my kids were born here, we built a house. Of course, last season wasn’t so successful, that’s not what Bayern and I want. Now I’m hungry, full of energy.”
Kimmich is primarily a midfielder but has also operated as a right-back at times. His versatility and experience have seen the likes of Arsenal and Barcelona chase his signature. His market value is €50 million, as per Tranfermarkt.