For weeks, Bayern officials had been whispering about a massive offer coming their way. Now it’s official: Real Madrid submitted a written bid to FC Bayern for Joshua Kimmich worth €150 million plus another €20 million in easily reachable bonuses.
If accepted, the 30-year-old would break Jude Bellingham’s domestic transfer record (€103m + add-ons), becoming not only the most expensive German player in history but also the biggest sale Bayern would ever make in their 125 years.
Reports say Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez personally pushed the deal forward.
Madrid’s plan was crystal clear: Kimmich would inherit Toni Kroos’ iconic number 8 shirt, earn a net salary of €21 million per year—second only to Mbappé—and become the creative hub of a new midfield trio with Bellingham and Valverde.
Real’s sporting director Juni Calafat even flew to Munich yesterday to speed up negotiations.
Inside Bayern, the offer was seen as almost impossible to turn down. Max Eberl and Christoph Freund had already run the numbers: with €150 million and the salary space freed when Kimmich leaves, Bayern could rebuild their entire midfield—names like Zubimendi, Frimpong, and a top-class defensive midfielder were already being discussed.
Even Uli Hoeneß remarked in a board meeting: “That much money for a 30-year-old with only 18 months left on his deal? You can’t reject it lightly.”
But then came the shock from an unexpected source.
Joshua Kimmich himself.
According to BILD, Sky, and MARCA, Kimmich informed both Bayern and his personal team early this morning: “I’m staying. End of discussion.”
His motivations were clear. He wants to end his career at Bayern, guide the next generation (Musiala, Pavlovic, Tel), and above all, settle what he calls “unfinished business” after the 2020 Champions League triumph.
“I still have something to complete here,” he reportedly said. “Money was never my driving force. I want to make history—not buy it.”
Madrid was stunned. Pérez personally called Kimmich for 20 minutes trying to sway him, but nothing changed. Even Carlo Ancelotti’s promise—“You’ll be my new Kroos”—failed to move him.
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany wasn’t surprised. Smiling after training, he said: “I already knew. Josh told me weeks ago: ‘Coach, I want to win the Champions League here with you, not somewhere else.’ That’s what leadership looks like.”
As a result, Bayern now plan to offer Kimmich a new contract until 2030 this winter, with wages close to Madrid’s proposal (around €19–20 million gross) and a release clause of €80 million starting in 2027.
And Real Madrid’s €150 million budget will now likely be used to extend Jamal Musiala’s deal until 2032.
While Madrid scrambles to find alternatives—Zubimendi? Vitinha?—Munich celebrates a player who has proven that there are still things money can’t buy.
Joshua Kimmich is staying. And Bayern, in their own traditional way, will remain Bayern
