Real Madrid News
Real Madrid, Barcelona likely destinations for Bayern Munich contract rebel in 2024 – report
Bayern Munich face a huge problem this season as they will be looking to extend the contract of Joshua Kimmich beyond 2025.
The German midfielder has been a starter for the German champions for almost a decade now, but his time in Bavaria might be coming to an end.
According to a report by SPORT1, Kimmich does not feel fully comfortable or trusted at Bayern anymore. He is not as influential under new coach Thomas Tuchel as he used to be under previous managers, especially Julian Nagelsmann.
Tuchel even claimed during preseason that Kimmich was not a holding midfielder and that he wanted a player who was a natural no. 6 to occupy that role. The German star disagreed with the coach’s assessment, though, claiming that he was, in fact, a 6.
Given the tense situation he is facing at Bayern right now, Kimmich is unlikely to extend his contract this season. The Bavarians will be looking to get some amount of transfer fee for his move so they do not lose him for free.
Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are among the likely destinations for Kimmich right now.
The case for Barcelona and City is quite easy to make. With the former, he gets an undisputed role as a six, and with a team that publicly expressed their desire to sign him in the summer. He also gets to play under Xavi, the man he considers an idol.
As for City, he gets the chance to take over from Ilkay Gundogan, whose departure has certainly impacted the team negatively. Further, he will reunite with Pep Guardiola, the manager who gave him his breakthrough at Bayern.
His fit at Real Madrid is slightly more complicated, though. With Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Toni Kroos, and Luka Modric fighting for staring spots this season, the competition is already racked.
However, Kroos and Modric both are expected to leave the club come the summer, and would free up two slots in midfield.
With one year still remaining on his contract in 2024, it seems unlikely that Bayern will let him for anything less than €60 million. Given the competition for his signature and Madrid’s other headaches in the starting lineup, it seems unlikely they will pursue his services.
Nico Paz was long hyped as Real Madrid Castilla’s brightest upcoming star. The media constantly kept the spotlight on the young Argentine through pre-season as he made a strong impression under Carlo Ancelotti in preseason.
His breakthrough eventually arrived, courtesy of Real Madrid’s injury crisis. He has now made two appearances for the team in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League and even recorded his first goal for the club earlier this week against Napoli.
Taking his chances
As revealed by AS (h/t The Madrid Zone), Paz has impressed management with his cameo against Napoli and will be called up for Real Madrid’s clash against Granada tomorrow.
In fact, there is a good chance he sees significant game time on the night.
After all, Ancelotti is without the likes of Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle of the park.
With Toni Kroos, Dani Ceballos, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham filling the starting spots, Paz serves as the manager’s first-choice backup off the bench.
Paz voices his elation
Paz’s introduction against Napoli changed the texture of the game, and it was only poetic that he got the goal that put Real Madrid ahead again on the night.
Speaking to the media after his special night, the Castilla star did not hold back on his emotions.
“This is a dream. For a moment I didn’t even believe it. Very happy to be able to help the team. I dared. I was in automatic mode, I didn’t even know what I was doing. I hit it and well.”
“This is also a message for the other youth players: it is possible to get there. Ancelotti congratulated me, and the whole staff. They are an incredible group and I want to thank them all,” he added, urging his Castilla teammates to keep pushing.
