„I was 95 percent gone“: Kimmich reveals Bayern farewell was a no-go | OneFootball

Joshua Kimmich is now one of the defining faces of FC Bayern. But the international’s success story almost came to an end in the summer of 2024. In a new documentary, the 31-year-old has now spoken openly about his thoughts on a transfer – and provided exciting insights into the negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain

Today, Joshua Kimmich is one of the leading players at FC Bayern and is tied to the record champions until 2029. Just under two years ago, however, the situation looked completely different

The contract talks between Kimmich and the Munich management were extremely tough at the time and there was repeated speculation about a possible departure of the international. Now the midfielder has spoken openly about this turbulent phase in the ZDF documentary„sportstudio produktion: Kapitän Kimmich“

It becomes clear that a transfer was much closer than many fans had suspected at the time. „I had the feeling that Bayern were very open to letting me go,“ explained Kimmich in retrospect

He particularly remembered a conversation with sporting director Max Eberl

„I spoke to Max Eberl, who then confirmed to me once again: ‚If you want to leave, then you’re for sale, then that’s possible‘,“ the international revealed

Kimmich thought hard about leaving

The situation weighed heavily on the midfielder at the time, and his assessment of a possible stay was correspondingly clear. „As things stand, I don’t know what would happen if I were to extend my stay here,“ said Kimmich at the time, adding: „I don’t see 95% of the time that I’ll extend my stay here.“

Paris Saint-Germain in particular took advantage of this uncertainty and courted the Bayern star intensively. „Paris was a club that was very committed, one that I didn’t even have on my radar,“ explained Kimmich

According to his own statements, he held talks with PSG sporting director Luis Campos and coach Luis Enrique, and the French club left a lasting impression

„They did a really good job and really gave you the impression that they really wanted you,“ reported the 31-year-old

Particularly noteworthy: Campos even visited Kimmich personally at home to promote a move to Paris. „That really got me hooked,“ the midfielder admitted openly

PSG lured with a mega offer

photo: IMAGO

Another detail shows just how seriously Kimmich was considering a move: according to his own statements, the international had already looked into residential areas and schools for his four children in Paris

PSG also apparently put an exceptional offer on the table in financial terms. „The financial side of things was blatant, really. Very, very blatant, I have to say,“ Kimmich revealed

Nevertheless, he did not want to make his decision solely dependent on the money. „I didn’t want that to be the deciding factor,“ he emphasized

In the end, several factors decided his future. On the one hand, his family played an important role. On the other hand, he was also convinced by working with Vincent Kompany, who had just taken over as coach at FC Bayern at the time

Today, Kimmich is convinced that he made the right decision: „It was right for me to extend my contract at Bayern,“ the midfielder made clear

In retrospect, this statement should also reassure many Bayern fans, because after his recent revelations, it is clear that the departure of the long-time top performer was much closer than previously known. In the end, however, FC Bayern managed to keep one of its most important players in Munich for the long term – despite a „very, very blatant“ offer from Paris Saint-Germain.