Joshua Kimmich responds to links with January transfer to Barcelona

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich says he is not thinking about a potential move to Barcelona during the January window.

The Germany international's contract at the Allianz Arena expires in 2025 and he has considered leaving the Bundesliga giants, with 90min revealing back in October that Pep Guardiola is keen on a reunion as Manchester City explore a potential transfer.

Barca continue to monitor players with deals approaching their expiry dates, with recent reports suggesting the Catalan giants want to reach a pre-contract agreement with Kimmich ahead of a move next year.

Kimmich has now downplayed any suggestion of a switch to Camp Nou this month, revealing he expects talks with Bayern to commence in the near future.

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He said: "I'm only focusing on Bayern, the winter market is not an issue. At some point the club will approach me and we'll discuss my future."

Kimmich is a modern legend at Bayern, having won eight consecutive Bundesliga titles in Bavaria as well as the 2020 Champions League. He has scored 41 goals in 368 appearances in all competitions for the club since joining from RB Leipzig back in 2015.

The 28-year-old played in Friday's game as Bayern returned from the winter break with a 3-0 win over Hoffenheim thanks to two goals from Jamal Musiala and another from Harry Kane.

Barca's well-documented financial issues saw them target free agents during last summer's transfer window, with Ilkay Gundogan and Inigo Martinez arriving after their spells with Man City and Athletic Club respectively ended. Oriol Romeu was also picked up from Girona for only €3.4m.

However, big bucks have already been spent this month with the €40m arrival of young Brazilian forward Vitor Roque, with potential for the fee to rise to €61m.

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