Joshua Kimmich, one of the most versatile midfielders in European football, has revealed just how close he came to leaving Bayern Munich for Paris Saint-Germain. The German international says conversations with PSG head coach Luis Enrique nearly sealed the deal, putting the likelihood of his departure at 95%.

What happened behind the scenes

The saga traces back to 2024, when Bayern Munich reportedly classified Kimmich as a “sellable player.” That designation didn’t sit well with Kimmich, contributing to his dissatisfaction at the club.

Luis Enrique engaged Kimmich in multiple conversations about a potential move to Paris, and those discussions advanced far enough that the midfielder considered the transfer essentially done. Kimmich admitted he was 95% likely to make the switch to PSG.

Why Kimmich stayed in Munich

Two factors intervened at the eleventh hour. The first was personal: family considerations played a crucial role in Kimmich’s decision to remain in Germany. The second was professional. Vincent Kompany’s arrival as Bayern Munich’s new head coach changed the calculus, giving Kimmich a reason to believe his future at Bayern could look different from the recent past.

The PSG pursuit didn’t end there

PSG’s interest in Kimmich didn’t evaporate after the 2024 near-miss. Reports indicated that PSG submitted a formal offer for the midfielder as recently as March 2025, coinciding with Kimmich’s impending contract expiration at Bayern Munich. Arsenal also expressed interest in Kimmich during the same period, creating a multi-club pursuit.

The narrative gained renewed attention during Champions League fixtures between Bayern Munich and PSG in the 2025-2026 season.