Arsenal's hopes of signing Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich are reportedly over, as the Germany international is said to have reached a verbal agreement over a new contract with the Bundesliga leaders.
The Gunners were believed to have held discussions with the 30-year-old's entourage over a possible free transfer this summer while he hesitated over signing a renewal at the Allianz Arena.
Kimmich supposedly had a three-year offer on the table at Bayern Munich, only for the Reds to withdraw that offer due to the player stalling, leaving his future shrouded in some uncertainty.
Kimmich recently confirmed to reporters that a decision on his future would be reached before the March international break, though, and it was claimed earlier on Thursday that talks with Bayern were heading in a positive direction.
Just a few hours later, journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Kimmich and Bayern have now reached a 'total verbal agreement' over a new deal, which will keep him at the club for another four seasons.
Kimmich 'considered' offer from European giant before Bayern decision
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Plettenberg adds that the whole Bayern board have given their approval for Kimmich's new contract, and the 30-year-old will sign on the dotted line later this week before the official announcement is made.
Kimmich apparently considered a proposal from Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, but his priority was always to find an agreement with the Bavarians over a new deal, and there is no mention of Arsenal making an offer.
The versatile German's fresh terms will take him up to 14 years of service for Bayern should he stay for the duration of his deal, having joined for just £7.1m from Stuttgart in the summer of 2015.
Kimmich has since amassed 43 goals and 114 assists in 427 matches for the Bavarians, and he was also said to have been on the radars of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United.
Bayern also saw Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala strongly linked with moves away earlier this year before striking renewals with both men, and Kimmich is set to follow suit in the coming days.
What Kimmich alternatives can Arsenal target?
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While Arsenal will be left to rue what could have been with Kimmich, they were warned that this outcome was likely with the 30-year-old given the previous Davies and Musiala situations in Munich.
The Gunners are still expected to sign Martin Zubimendi in a £51m deal from Real Sociedad to replace Thomas Partey, but a successor to another departing veteran in Jorginho must also be sought.
Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Larsson and Atalanta BC's Ederson are also believed to be of interest to the Gunners, who are also expected to move for a new striker, goalkeeper and winger ahead of the 2024-25 season.
For the time being, though, Mikel Arteta's men are solely focused on Sunday's Premier League main event with Manchester United as they endeavour to end a two-game scoreless sequence in the top flight.
Ben Knapton
