Bayern Munich is going to make changes to the midfield department of the first team this summer. They have already added a new midfielder to the squad, as the signing of Konrad Laimer was announced on Friday. Bayern is expected to sign another midfielder in the next couple of months.
Despite the arrival of two new midfielders, Joshua Kimmich remains a key member of the midfield setup for Bayern. He remains one of the key players for Thomas Tuchel. The German coach started him in all games since arriving at the club in March.
The quarter-final elimination from the Champions League and DFB Pokal last season led to a report suggesting that Joshua Kimmich is worried about sporting development at Die Roten. The doubts raised by Kimmich are justified, but it also led to speculation surrounding his future in Munich.
Kimmich has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona in the Spanish media over the last few weeks. Barcelona’s head coach Xavi Hernandez has also praised Kimmich but refused to comment on the club’s interest in him. The German midfielder has now stepped in to address these rumours. While talking to Bild on Monday, Kimmich dismissed the speculation by insisting that he is staying at Bayern at least until the end of his contract in 2025.
“It was difficult not to come across it the rumors. Generally, I’m not too invested in the rumors. I still have, as everyone knows, two years left on my contract and we have big plans for those two years at Bayern.”
Bayern wouldn’t have entertained any offers from Barcelona if the interest was genuine in Kimmich. The Bavarian club considers Joshua Kimmich as the future captain. The German midfielder has been a consistent player for Die Roten since arriving in Bavaria from RB Leipzig in 2015.
The Bavarian club definitely has a different plan for Kimmich next season. The last few seasons have seen Kimmich playing the number six role while Leon Goretzka was operating as a number eight. Goretzka struggled for form and consistency last season, so the club chiefs reportedly want to break up the midfield pairing next season.
Tuchel and Bayern are looking to sign a new defensive midfielder this summer. The arrival of a defensive midfielder will allow Tuchel to push Kimmich into the number eight position. Kimmich has the skill set to excel in this role since he can offer creativity in the advanced midfield role.
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Die Roten had identified Declan Rice as the top target for the defensive midfield role. However, the English midfielder looks destined to join Arsenal. Tuchel and Rekordmeister will have to look for a new target that can help them to solidify the midfield for the next few seasons.
