Well, the floodgates are now open for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich.
When the report surfaced on Tuesday that Kimmich was no longer “untouchable”, it was only a matter of time before things fizzled out. First, we saw a very loose link with Liverpool FC and now we have FC Barcelona back on the scene:
It’s no secret that Barcelona greatly admire Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The Catalan giants were interested in signing the Germany international this summer, but the finances involved meant a move was never a realistic possibility. In addition, Bayern Munich also had no intention of parting with the 28-year-old midfielder. But reports in Germany earlier this week suggested that Bayern Munich no longer see him as untransferable and could be open to a sale if good offers come in.
Now, Mundo Deportivo reports that this news has alerted Barcelona, who are still interested in Kimmich. The Blaugrana are aware that a transfer would be out of reach this summer but will continue to monitor him as an option for the future. Kimmich has two years left on his contract with Bayern Munich, meaning he would enter the final year of his contract next summer. And in case he doesn’t sign a renewal, there may be a chance he might be available for a reasonable price.
Kimmich remains on the agenda as an option for the future and Barcelona will continue to monitor his situation at Bayern Munich, waiting to pounce if an opportunity presents itself in the upcoming transfer windows.
It seems highly doubtful that Kimmich will leave Bayern Munich this summer, but if the club get any indication that the midfielder could be ready to move on next summer, when he only has one season left on his contract, it could be time for the Bavarians to to sell.
It seems unthinkable that Kimmich could move on when he looks set to be the team’s next captain, but something feels strange (and not just because Thomas Tuchel refused to deny the rumour) about it all.
Is Kimmich really looking to leave the club? 90Min.com has a source saying:
Bayern Munich are making it clear that their position on star midfielder Joshua Kimmich has not changed and that they do not want to let him leave the club this summer, 90 Minutes has claimed.
I guess we’ll see, but it’s important to note that statistically, Kimmich was very good last season:
1 – Joshua Kimmich was the only player in Europe’s top five leagues in 2022-23 to score at least five goals, to maintain a pass percentage of at least 90% and to win more than 51% of his duels (56%). All terrain pic.twitter.com/36AFSDM9sS
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) July 18, 2023
It wasn’t his best campaign (according to the eye test), but he put together enough good stats to make the analytics crowd swoon for sure.
Just a few years ago I would have bet that Kimmich would be a “perpetuity” (well, at least from the point he joined the club going forward…sorry VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig), but now…I’m not so sure.
The only caveat I would throw into the discussion is that Kimmich might be using this whole situation as a power play that he might think he needs (but actually doesn’t).
Who knows… but it will be good to hear what Kimmich has to say when he finally addresses the situation.
Liverpool, Manchester United, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus and Napoli have all been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, but Inter could be the frontrunners at the club.
The Italian side wants to be creative and has made a loan proposal:
Inter Milan have inquired about the loan of Bayern Munich midfielder Ryan Gravenberch. That’s according to today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInter1908, who report that the Bavarians would be willing to let the 21-year-old leave on a loan deal.
For the long and grueling season ahead, the Nerazzurri will target six midfielders. Consequently, the club is looking for a possible target to replace Gagliardini. Udinese’s Lazar Samardzic is one of the players on Inter’s radar in this pursuit. However, the 21-year-old won’t necessarily come cheap.
Bayern Munich’s preparations for the new season begin as the squad regroups to attack the 2023/24 season.
As expected, there is still a lot of uncertainty with the roster and so many storylines that could affect how this team performs in the upcoming campaign. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for this episode:
- It sure looks like Harry Kane is using Bayern Munich as leverage against Tottenham Hotspur. Get the latest Kane news here!
- Nobody wants to leave Bayern Munich (well, except for Ryan Gravenbech and Alexander Nübel), but Leon Goretzka, Sadio Mané, Mathys Tel and Marcel Sabitzer seem to have caught the Bayern Munich bug.
- Anyone worried about Manuel Neuer yet?
- Niklas Süle is reported to be “praising himself”.
RB Leipzig could be in for another massive hit as Manchester City are reportedly closing in on a deal for Josko Gvardiol:
EXCLUSIVE: Joško Gvardiol to Man City, here we go! Agreement reached on fee between City and Leipzig
Gvardiol is understood to have completed the first part of his medical today – a deal close to being signed.
Guardiol agreed personal terms with City a month ago. pic.twitter.com/njylKAxYAU
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2023
However, Football Transfers think Fabrizio Romano may have suffered a bit of premature PhotoShopping:
Confusion arose over Josko Gvardiol’s future after transfer guru Fabrizio Romano gave his trademark “here we go” only for Manchester City sources to deny claims an agreement had been reached with RB Leipzig.
Gvardiol has been a long-term target of Pep Guardiola and personal terms have been agreed for more than a month, but both City and Leipzig have so far been unable to agree a fee. Leipzig are said to be demanding more than €100m for the 21-year-old, making him the most expensive defender of all time, although City have previously refused to match that figure.
However, Romano revealed that, not only had a fee been agreed between the two clubs, Guardiol completed the first part of his City medical on Wednesday. The news appeared to be confirmed when the Croatian liked an Instagram post relaying the news, while Guardiol also followed City duo John Stones and Ruben Dias on the platform. But the revelation was apparently premature after Daily Telegraph reporter James Ducker claimed a fee had not been agreed and therefore no doctor had been made, throwing cold water on Romano’s claims.
The bullet that former Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan “Brazzo” Salihamidžić “matrix dodged” when Chelsea FC brought back Callum Hudson-Odoi should be in the club’s museum. Hudson-Odoi, who struggled badly on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last season, could now leave for Fulham:
Following Chelsea, the Blues have rejected an initial bid for Fulham’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, who are considering whether to launch a second bid.
In this episode of Bavarian Podcast Works’ flagship show, Tom and Schnitzel discuss:
- Without exhausting the Harry Kane rumours
- The proposed Pavard/Walker swap deal between Bayern and Manchester City
- How Bayern’s defense is shaping up in general for next season
- Will Noussair Mazraoui play over Pavard or Walker?
- Should Sadio Mane leave for Saudi Arabia for good?
- What went wrong for Mane last season
- Tuchel’s long-term Bayern coach prospects. How long will it last?
- Would Kane’s arrival put more pressure on Tuchel?
- Bayern’s large number of attacking players
- Bayern should keep or sell Serge Gnabry
Manchester United have reportedly agreed personal terms with Atalanta Haaland Lite striker Rasmus Højlund:
Manchester United have agreed personal terms in principle with Danish striker Rasmus Højlund, 90 minutes understands.
Hojlund is the club’s next main transfer target after agreeing a deal with Inter for goalkeeper Andre Onana, who will undergo a medical after an initial fee of €51m was agreed euros United want Onana to join the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, with the squad due to leave on Wednesday.
Long-time RB Leipzig stalwart Marcel Halstenberg has moved to Hannover 96:
The former Leipzig player shared his thoughts on his experience with Die Roten Bullen:
️ Marcel Halstenberg: “I am very grateful to both clubs for making this transfer possible. This step is anything but easy for me. Leipzig has been my second home for eight years and RB Leipzig has become my second family. But, I made this decision very… pic.twitter.com/w2JZAuGEwZ
— RB Leipzig English (@RBLeipzig_EN) July 19, 2023
It was a long period without Bayern Munich, wasn’t it?
The Rekordmeister is back, for the 2023-24 season and there’s a lot going on, from new players to an interesting scenario involving who’s on top. Starting the season with an easy game against FC Rottach-Egern, we won 27-0 (!!). With new additions Konrad Laimer and Raphael Guerreiro, Bayern’s new era is looking pretty exciting and we’re all ready.
Here are our in-game talking points:
- A quick recap of what happened last season, what’s different from then to now
- Excitement for the new transfers: Kim Min Jae, Laimer and Guerreiro
- Opinions on Laimer and his role under Tuchel
- It again emphasizes the qualities of Jamal Musiala and how he has improved this season
- Mathys Tel’s future at this club looks very good!
- Marcel Sabitzer and a long slide about his time here so far
- Disappointment with Sadio Mane (and a slightly sarcastic comment)
- Wounds galore!
- First Half vs. Second Half: Criticism, Praise, etc
