Arsenal have reportedly touched base with Bayern Munich to enquire about the availability of midfielder Joshua Kimmich.
The Germany international has been a cornerstone of the Bavarians' success for nine years, having spent time with RB Leipzig and Stuttgart before moving to the Allianz Arena in 2015.
During his glittering stint in Bayern colours, Kimmich has collected 20 major honours, including one Champions League crown and eight Bundesliga titles, while amassing 41 goals and 102 assists in 379 matches.
The 29-year-old has set up eight goals while scoring one of his own in 32 games this season, but Bayern's reign of dominance in the Bundesliga is seemingly destined to come to an end at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen.
Thomas Tuchel's men sit 13 points behind Xabi Alonso's side at the top of the standings, and it is believed that Kimmich could be open to taking on a new challenge elsewhere this summer, when he will enter the last 12 months of his Bayern deal.
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Bayern rebuff Arsenal approach for Kimmich
The Premier League is reportedly beckoning for Kimmich, who is allegedly at the heart of an intense four-way tussle between Manchester United and title challengers Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool.
In an attempt to steal a march on their rivals, FootballTransfers claims that Arsenal have now made contact with Bayern, whom they will square off with in the Champions League quarter-finals later this month.
However, the reigning German champions immediately knocked the Gunners back and informed their North London counterparts that they will not be discussing the future of their players until the end of the season.
While Arsenal's initial approach for Kimmich was quickly rebuffed, the report adds that the Gunners are expected to ramp up their interest once the campaign is done and dusted, as the 29-year-old has become a prime target for Mikel Arteta.
After starting out as a right-back, the former Stuttgart man made a highly successful transition to a midfield role, although he has reverted to his former defensive position for both club and country in 2024.
How might Arsenal's midfield look with Kimmich?
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While there are still numerous hoops for Arsenal to jump through if they are to make Kimmich their marquee summer signing - not least the interest from their rivals and a potentially lofty Bayern price tag - it is easy to see why Arteta holds him in such high regard.
Always one to pursue a versatile player, Arteta tried to experiment with Thomas Partey at right-back at the start of the season - a move which did not pay dividends - but Oleksandr Zinchenko's nous at left-back and in midfield is not up for debate.
With Ben White, Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu all capable of playing on the right, though, Kimmich should take up residence as Arsenal's deepest-lying midfielder, a role which Jorginho has often occupied in recent matches.
The Italy international is yet to agree a new contract beyond the end of the season, though, while Partey and Mohamed Elneny are not expected to still be at the Emirates for the 2024-25 campaign either.
Thanks to Declan Rice's impressive output in a more advanced midfield position, the number six spot is calling Kimmich's name, although Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is another option for Arsenal to consider.
Ben Knapton
