Real Madrid could sign one of Bayern Munich's best players again.
Real Madrid have prided themselves on fielding one of the best - if not THE best - midfields in European football over the past few years. But with Casemiro at Manchester United (and a shell of himself, I might add) and Toni Kroos currently enjoying retirement after going out with a bang in 2024, Real Madrid only have Luka Modric left as a holdover from their legendary "KCM" trident that dominated the back half of the 2010s.
While Real Madrid have found two more "best in the world" level midfielders in Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham - as well as a trio of quality role players in Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni - it still feels like they need to bring in one more piece before Modric officially calls it quits.
Modric remains one of the best in LaLiga at the age of 39 and should have at least one more season left in him, but, already, it's clear that Real Madrid are hurting for a true orchestrator, tempo-setter, and deep creator in midfield. Tchouameni is an intelligent defender and an accurate passer, but he's not a maestro like Kroos. Of course, nobody is, but Real Madrid could have room to make an ambitious signing at the base of the midfield who can restore a high degree of control and unlock more playmaking.
Martin Zubimendi is one option, but Joshua Kimmich is a better one. Although Kimmich is a couple of years older, he'd be 60 million euros cheaper as an impending free agent and has a much more established pedigree in European football, particularly at the Champions League level. Even when Bayern Munich and German pundits unfairly try to write him off, as Thomas Tuchel did last season, he always bounces back. Plus, Kimmich is a world-class right back - maybe even the best at the position alongside Real's veteran Dani Carvajal - and that is a bonus Carlo Ancelotti surely wouldn't underrate.
After striking out on Alphonso Davies, who re-signed with Bayern Munich, and ostensibly losing out on top right back target Trent Alexander-Arnold, perhaps Kimmich could be this offseason's big free agent signing for Real Madrid. They've had one pretty much every year with David Alaba in 2021, Antonio Rudiger in 2022, and Kylian Mbappe in 2024.
According to a report from BILD's Tobias Altschafl and Christian Falk, Bayern Munich have shockingly withdrawn their latest contract offer to Kimmich, frustrated by his hesitancy and lack of a response to their offer. It brings Kimmich potentially one step closer to leaving in free agency with mere months left until the start of the summer 2025 transfer window.
This news gives Real Madrid a legitimate opening to negotiate and secure an agreement for the most consistent footballer in Germany - and certainly the best of the deep playmakers. Given Barcelona manager Hansi Flick's affinity for Kimmich and their working relationship with two teams, Real Madrid swooping in to make a signing would be huge and in the same vein as successful past Bayern poaches Alaba and, of course, Kroos himself.
There's still a long time between now and June, but Kimmich's situation is one to watch closely. He's getting older at 30 and wouldn't be cheap in wages, but he'd be an even better signing on paper than Alaba and Rudiger were at the time and could bring a different skill-set with additional stability to a midfield that seems to have just that one missing piece left.