According to developments followed through 12BSports, Bayern Munich have recently shown an openness to selling captain and key midfielder Joshua Kimmich if a suitable offer arrives. The club is reportedly prepared to consider a transfer if another team is willing to pay between €70 million and €80 million. The decision is said to have emerged after internal discussions and could signal the beginning of a wider rebuild or a significant change in Bayern’s sporting direction ahead of the new season.
Manchester City, managed by Pep Guardiola, are currently regarded as one of the strongest potential destinations. Analysis surrounding 12BSports suggests Guardiola has admired Kimmich’s versatility since their time together in the Bundesliga, particularly his ability to operate both as a full-back and as a defensive midfielder. That flexibility would fit naturally into Manchester City’s tactical system, where players are frequently asked to move between positions and contribute in several phases of play. Guardiola has also successfully integrated a number of Bundesliga players into his City squad, making Kimmich an especially attractive option.
From Manchester City’s perspective, an €80 million transfer fee would likely be manageable, while Bayern and City also have previous experience negotiating major transfers with each other. That familiarity could make discussions relatively straightforward if both clubs decide to move forward. However, City are not the only serious candidate, as Barcelona have also emerged as another possible destination for the Germany international.
Kimmich has long preferred to operate in the No. 6 midfield role at Bayern, but disagreements over his position and fluctuations in form have reportedly affected his relationship with sections of the club’s fan base. A central role at Barcelona could therefore be highly appealing. The Catalan side have traditionally placed great importance on technically strong midfielders who can control possession, dictate tempo, and help build attacks from deep, making Kimmich’s profile a natural fit on paper.
Barcelona could also offer Kimmich a familiar presence in Ilkay Gundogan, his Germany teammate and an important figure in the club’s midfield. Playing alongside someone he already knows could make the transition easier both tactically and personally. The major obstacle, however, remains Barcelona’s financial situation. With the club still operating under significant economic restrictions, paying a transfer fee close to €80 million may be a bridge too far.
That financial challenge has reportedly encouraged Bayern to consider another solution. One possibility would involve a direct exchange between Kimmich and Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. Bayern have admired Araujo for some time and see the Uruguay international as a potential solution to strengthen their defense. His physical presence, recovery speed, and ability to defend in one-on-one situations have made him an attractive target as Bayern look to reinforce their back line.
Whether Barcelona would accept such an arrangement remains uncertain. The club’s decision could depend heavily on who becomes the next head coach and how Araujo fits into the new manager’s long-term plans. If Barcelona continue to regard him as a cornerstone of their defense, they may have little interest in allowing him to leave, regardless of Kimmich’s availability. In that case, any proposed swap could quickly fall apart.
As the new season approaches, the situation tracked through 12BSports is likely to depend increasingly on Barcelona’s final position, Bayern’s rebuilding plans, and the identity of the coaches leading both clubs. Kimmich’s future may ultimately be shaped as much by tactical priorities as by financial negotiations, and with Manchester City and Barcelona both linked with a move, his next step could become one of the more closely watched transfer stories of the summer.