Top News

Joshua Kimmich has revealed just how close he came to ending his long-standing spell with Bayern Munich during a phase of major uncertainty at the Allianz Arena. The German international shared that he was seriously tempted by a lucrative proposal from Paris Saint-Germain after being informed by the club’s hierarchy that he was available for transfer.

Eberl gave his nod for Kimmich’s exit

In the new documentary titled ‘Captain Kimmich’ on ZDF, the versatile midfielder opened up about a turbulent period in his career when his future at Bayern Munich was hanging in the balance. As he entered the final months of his contract just over a year ago, Kimmich took time to evaluate his future options — a delay that reportedly frustrated the club’s supervisory board and led to Bayern briefly withdrawing their renewal offer. During this period, Kimmich realised that some top officials within the club, including sporting director Max Eberl, were open to letting him leave. Eventually, renewed discussions with Eberl and Christoph Freund paved the way for Kimmich to sign a contract extension until 2029 in March 2025.

Speaking about a crucial conversation with Bayern’s management, Kimmich explained that the door was effectively open for his departure. “I spoke to Max Eberl,” said Kimmich. “He confirmed it again: ‘If you want to go, you are for sale — it’s possible.’” This affirmation from the club’s leadership had a strong impact on Kimmich’s mindset concerning his future with the German record champions.

PSG’s strong interest and the Luis Enrique connection

Once Bayern made it clear they were ready to entertain offers, Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain moved quickly. Kimmich admitted that the French side, led by manager Luis Enrique and sporting advisor Luis Campos, made a lasting impression on him. The pursuit was so intense that Campos personally visited Kimmich’s home to convince him about the Paris project.

The 31-year-old was surprised by the level of dedication shown by the PSG hierarchy. “With Paris, there was a club that was extremely committed — one that I hadn’t even seriously considered before,” Kimmich said. He added, “They did an excellent job and gave me the feeling that they genuinely wanted me. That really made an impression on me.”

Massive financial offer and family considerations

Negotiations with PSG progressed to such an extent that Kimmich had already begun planning for his family and four children, including looking at potential homes and schools in Paris. The midfielder admitted that the contract offer on the table was extraordinary. However, he insisted that financial gain was not the only factor influencing his final call.

Kimmich did not downplay the magnitude of PSG’s financial proposal. “The financial side was crazy — really, very, very crazy, I have to say,” he confessed. But he quickly added, “I didn’t want that to be the deciding factor.” At that time, Kimmich himself believed that his departure from Munich was nearly certain, saying, “As of now, I don’t know what could happen for me to renew here. I see it as 95 percent unlikely that I will renew.”

Staying on for the Kompany era

Although he was “95 percent” ready to leave, a combination of family priorities and a managerial change made Kimmich reconsider. The appointment of Vincent Kompany as Thomas Tuchel’s successor proved decisive, as the Belgian coach presented a new vision that placed Kimmich at the core of his plans.

Looking back on the entire episode now, Kimmich believes he made the right choice by turning down Paris’s riches and staying loyal to Bayern. The midfielder has since re-established himself as a leader within the squad and is expected to remain an essential figure in the coming years. “It was the right decision to extend my contract with Bayern,” Kimmich concluded, closing the chapter on one of the closest transfer sagas in recent Bundesliga history.