Joshua Kimmich has emerged as a top target for Arsenal as his contract negotiations with Bayern Munich continue to stall, with further talks having taken place over the weekend
Bayern Munich have insisted they will not increase their offer to Joshua Kimmich despite contract talks stalling.
Kimmich will see his deal expire at the end of the season and so is set to become a free agent. Arsenal have emerged as one of the leading contenders to sign the German, who has established himself as one of the Bundesliga’s best players.
He has won eight league titles, three DFB-Pokals and the 2020 Champions League since arriving at the Allianz Arena in 2015. Negotiations between the 30-year-old and Bayern have been taking place for some time.
But over the past week, those talks have hit a brick wall, arousing the interest of other suitors. Bayern remain hopeful of seeing Kimmich extend his stay at the club, who currently lead the way in the Bundesliga.
The German giants held fresh talks with Kimmich and his representatives over the weekend, as first reported by The Athletic. Those discussions were amicable, but it is claimed that Bayern also made it clear that there will be ‘no more’ financial negotiations.
Kimmich is thought to be seeking an increase on his current £320,000 per week wage packet. But with Bayern having already handed hefty contract extensions to Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, another major expense may be balked at.
The midfielder is understood to have missed a deadline to sign a three-year deal he agreed on with Bayern chiefs, which was recently withdrawn. The impasse has led to some urging Kimmich to make a clear statement on his future.
Bayern and Germany legend Lothar Matthaus is one who thinks Kimmich needs to state what he is looking for. He told Sky Sport’s Sky90 programme: “At some point (Kimmich) has to make a statement.
“He has been involved in international football for a long time. He knows what he has at Bayern Munich, he has been able to examine his offers. At some point, Bayern Munich need to make a decision in order to be able to plan for the future.”
Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the situation and have already held talks with Kimmich over a move. He has informed Bayern chiefs of those discussions though sporting director Max Eberl remains hopeful an agreement can still be reached.
“Generally speaking, nobody is above the club,” he told German newspaper Bild. “If a player decides differently, then he decides differently. Things will continue at FC Bayern. We are not at that point with Kimmich.
“I’ve never given updates on negotiations, won’t be doing that now either because that’s inappropriate. We treat each other with big respect – we’re talking. What’s important is how Josh and we as a club treat each other.”
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