Atletico Madrid are ready to enter the battle for one of the most sought-after signings of the upcoming transfer window: Joshua Kimmich. Under contract until 2025 with Bayern Munich, the German midfielder is on several European giant's radar, including Joan Laporta's Barcelona. However, Diego Simeone and Atletico are ready to fight for the talented midfielder, regardless of the financial cost involved.
Kimmich, a mainstay at Bayern Munich for almost a decade, appears to be considering a change of scenery. Negotiations for his contract renewal with the Bavarian club have become complicated, and the player could become one of the most sought-after free agents. This has sparked the interest of teams such as Atlético de Madrid, who see in Kimmich the opportunity to reinforce their midfield with a top-class player.
A high-level signing
Simeone, known for his insistence on building competitive teams, has set his sights on Kimmich as an ideal option for the midfield. Despite recent signings such as Conor Gallagher and the presence of Rodrigo de Paul, the Argentine coach believes Kimmich could raise the level of the team even further. The German's versatility and experience fit perfectly into Simeone's philosophy, which values defensive solidity as much as the ability to organise play.
Although Kimmich would arrive on a free transfer, his signing will not exactly be "free". The midfielder has an estimated market value of 50 million, which suggests that Atlético would have to shell out between 25 and 30 million in signing bonus money. In addition, his salary would not be lower, Kimmich is one of Bayern's highest-paid players, with an annual salary of 11 million euros. Atlético de Madrid are prepared to make a competitive offer, knowing that investment in a player of his calibre could be key for the coming years.
Flick wants him in Barcelona
Barcelona are also in the race for Kimmich. With Hansi Flick in charge of the Blaugrana's coaching staff, interest in the German midfielder has grown significantly. Flick, who knows Kimmich well after managing him at Bayern and in the German national team, believes he would be a strategic addition for Barça. Laporta and his team, led by Deco in the negotiations, believe they have an advantage due to this connection.
However, Atlético Madrid are not giving up. Andrea Berta, Atlético's sporting director, is determined to compete with Barcelona and any other team that tries to sign Kimmich. The operation promises to be complex, but the red-and-white club is willing to do everything necessary to convince the player.
The competition between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona for Joshua Kimmich is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing storylines of the upcoming transfer window. With two of La Liga's biggest clubs set to fight for the same player, the battle for Kimmich promises to be intense. Both teams know that signing the German midfielder could make a key difference to their aspirations for the coming seasons.