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Joshua Kimmich’s name has long been associated with Liverpool, but the speculation has reached fever pitch as the Bayern Munich star’s contract enters its final months.

He was touted as an option for Liverpool’s midfield rebuild in the summer of 2023, with recent reports linking him again due to his contract situation.

The 30-year-old midfielder’s current deal with the German giants is set to expire at the end of the 2024/25 season, fueling rumors of a potential move.

Bayern executives, including CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, have publicly courted Kimmich since August 2024, urging him to “become a legend” by extending his stay.

However, negotiations stalled over wage demands and role assurances.

Kimmich, who has started 19 Bundesliga games this season, seeks clarity on his midfield role amid competition from Konrad Laimer and Aleksandar Pavlovi?.

The midfielder has made over 400 appearances for Bayern Munich since joining in 2015, contributing 43 goals and 110 assists during his time at the club.

While Joshua Kimmich’s impending free agency presents Liverpool with a rare chance to secure a high-caliber “opportunistic signing,” his current Bayern Munich wages pose a significant financial hurdle.

The 30-year-old earns €375,000 weekly (roughly £325,000), ranking him fifth among Bayern’s top earners and totaling €19.5 million annually.

Such figures clash with Liverpool’s FSG-mandated wage structure, which prioritizes fiscal discipline—a policy evident in Mohamed Salah’s protracted contract talks and the club’s reluctance to break salary ceilings for aging stars.

A move for Kimmich would require creative negotiation to align with the Reds’ financial prudence, even for a player of his pedigree.

But it seems Liverpool, if they are really interest in Kimmich, may have an opportunity to sign him for free.

Christain Falk of BILD has reported that Bayern Munich have now grown frustrated with the German international.

Bayern Munich have gone as far as to withdraw their contract renewal offer following months of stalled negotiations, escalating uncertainty over the midfielder’s future.

The club’s supervisory board, frustrated by Kimmich’s prolonged indecision, retracted their proposal during a quarterly meeting this week and ruled out improving terms further.

Initially aiming to reduce his salary, Bayern revised their stance after Kimmich’s strong performances this season, proposing a deal slightly exceeding his current €20 million annual earnings.

With Bayern refusing to sweeten the deal, Kimmich now faces a pivotal choice: accept reduced terms, pursue a free transfer, or await a last-minute compromise.

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