The Transfer That Nearly Happened
Joshua Kimmich has revealed in a new documentary that he came within touching distance of leaving Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain during the summer of 2024. The German international, now a cornerstone of both club and country, detailed a period of tension with Bayern’s hierarchy that opened the door to a sensational move to the French capital.
Standing at 1.77 meters but playing with the presence of a giant, Kimmich had grown frustrated with his situation in Bavaria following a series of disagreements with the club’s board. It was during this period of uncertainty that PSG made their move, identifying the versatile midfielder as the ideal reinforcement for their engine room alongside players like Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Luis Enrique’s Personal Touch
What set PSG’s pursuit apart, according to Kimmich, was the personal involvement of manager Luis Enrique. “With Paris, I was dealing with a club that was really committed. A club that I hadn’t even considered at the beginning,” Kimmich explained. The Spanish coach personally called the player to convince him of the project, while sporting advisor Luis Campos also made a personal visit to make their case in person.
“They really handled things well and gave me the impression that they genuinely wanted to have me,” Kimmich said. The financial package on offer was described as “incredible, really incredible,” though the German insists money was never going to be the decisive factor in his choice.
Why He Stayed in Bavaria
Kimmich went as far as researching neighbourhoods in Paris and looking into schools for his children, preparing for a complete relocation. Yet ultimately, he chose to remain at the club where he has won the Champions League, multiple Bundesliga titles, and established himself as one of the finest midfielders of his generation. The documentary, reported by Kicker, paints a picture of a player who seriously weighed every option before concluding that his heart — and his career trajectory — belonged in Munich, where he has since become an indispensable leader in Vincent Kompany’s side.
Source: RMC Sport / Kicker
