Bayern Munich demand ‘clear statement’ amid 2025 Manchester City transfer interest in midfielder | OneFootball

Interest from Manchester City in one of Bayern Munich’s primary midfield stars is causing an element of concern over at the Allianz Arena, reports have indicated.

The Premier League giants are expected to recruit a number of new names into their central ranks during the transfer windows of 2025, and that activity could begin as soon as the ongoing January market.

Manchester City find themselves on a run of hugely unpredictable form, and despite 2024 ending in a victory away to Leicester City, there remains a belief that major changes are needed as soon as possible to change around the club’s fortunes.

As part of those changes, the club remain interested in bringing in a new central midfielder before the close of the window at the end of this month, although have already ruled out big-money swoops for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes and Martin Zubimendi.

The club are more likely to turn themselves towards market opportunities, and among those could be the out-of-contract Bayern Munich star, Joshua Kimmich – with interest in the Germany international causing concerns in Bavaria.

According to the information of Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, those in relevant positions at Bayern want a ‘clear statement’ on Kimmich’s future as early as the beginning of January amid the risk of an exit on a free transfer next summer.

However, the report believes that a decision arriving in early January is ‘rather unlikely’, particularly given the fact that ‘top clubs’ including Manchester City and FC Barcelona have Kimmich on their transfer wishlists.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be more than familiar with the exceptional footballing abilities of Kimmich, after the pair spent an extended period of time working together at Bayern Munich.

The 29-year-old operated in a number of positions for Bayern Munich and Guardiola prior to the Catalan’s switch to Manchester City in the summer of 2016, including right-back, central defence, and in defensive midfield.

Kimmich’s ability to understand the Pep Guardiola vision immediately will almost certainly appeal to those making the decisions at the Etihad Stadium, as they seek to find a suitable stand-in for the long-term injured Rodri.