Joshua Kimmich has expressed admiration for Barcelona and their manager Hansi Flick, amid ongoing speculation linking him with a move to the La Liga club.
The Bayern Munich star, whose contract expires at the end of the season, is attracting interest from various top clubs, including Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona, who could pursue him as a free agent.
As Bayern prepares to face Barcelona in the Champions League at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night, Kimmich took the opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the Catalan club in football.
“I’m not thinking about that,” he said regarding a possible transfer to Barcelona. “But you should never rule anything out in life and also in football. Barcelona and Spain, as a national team, had a big impact on my career.”
Kimmich recalled how Xavi Hernandez was a childhood role model, along with Pep Guardiola’s iconic Tiki-Taka style, stating, “They were a role model.”
He also spoke fondly of Flick, who previously managed Bayern, saying, “Hansi created a good spirit back then. He gave the players and everyone around us a lot of trust, especially during times of doubt. We played spectacular football that we all loved.”
While Kimmich has not ruled out a departure from Bayern, he indicated that negotiations for a contract extension are ongoing. “Everyone knows I’m in talks with the club. What I discuss with the club remains internal. I won’t talk about it in a press conference,” he added.
The 29-year-old has been a key player for Bayern since joining from RB Leipzig in 2015, featuring prominently under new manager Vincent Kompany. Kimmich has started all seven Bundesliga games and both Champions League matches so far this season, showcasing his importance to the squad.
Kompany, who stepped up to Bayern after managing Burnley, has impressed Kimmich with his structured approach and motivational leadership. Kimmich noted, “He is very structured. You can see that it is important to him that he conveys content and that it reaches us. He is very, very motivated and puts the team spirit at the forefront.”
As Kimmich continues to perform at a high level, all eyes will be on his future decisions as the January transfer window approaches.