Man City, Man United dealt major transfer blow as versatile target 'on brink' of contract extension

The long-serving Reds right-back is currently free to speak to foreign teams, having entered the last six months of his existing deal at the Allianz Arena during the January transfer window.

Man United and Manchester City are believed to have shown the strongest interest in the Germany international, although club chiefs have repeatedly reaffirmed their confidence that a positive contract solution would be reached.

Now, journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that talks between Kimmich and Bayern have now reached an advanced stage, and there is an expectation that his renewal will be sealed imminently.

Plettenberg reports that the 30-year-old is set to extend his stay for another three seasons, meaning that his new terms will run until the summer of 2028, but the final details still need to be ironed out.

Were Real Madrid, Liverpool interested in signing Kimmich?

As well as the two Manchester giants, both Real Madrid and Liverpool were also tipped to make a move for Kimmich, as new right-backs could be on the agenda for both teams this summer.

Los Blancos are still banking on signing Trent Alexander-Arnold as a free agent this summer should he decide against renewing his Anfield contract, but they had supposedly earmarked Kimmich as an alternative.

Meanwhile, Liverpool were mooted as a landing ground for Kimmich if Alexander-Arnold did depart for the Bernabeu, and the German could have also provided cover for Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch in the middle.

However, Plettenberg affirms that neither Liverpool nor Real Madrid were serious about making a move for Kimmich, whose extension at the Allianz Arena could take his years of service in Bavaria to as many as 13.

The versatile Germany international arrived in Munich from Stuttgart in 2015 for just £8.5m and has now made 425 appearances for the club, contributing 43 goals and a staggering 114 assists.

Kimmich has scored one goal of his own while setting up 10 more in 35 appearances in all tournaments this season, as Bayern sit five points clear of Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga table with a game in hand.

Deja vu for Man City as Kimmich extension 'imminent'

News of Kimmich committing his future to Bayern Munich may come as a particular blow for Man City, whose head coach Pep Guardiola brought the 30-year-old to the Allianz Arena during his time at the Bayern helm.

The Citizens have already been dealt one piece of bad contract news by their German counterparts, as Jamal Musiala recently extended his own stay with the Bundesliga leaders until 2030.

Musiala was thought to have been on City's list of potential Kevin De Bruyne replacements, as the Belgium international is looking increasingly likely to leave when his deal runs out in the summer.

A separate report has claimed that a new favourite has emerged in the race for De Bruyne, who has been linked with moves to the MLS and Saudi Pro League.

Written by

Ben Knapton