MANCHESTER CITY TO CHALLENGE BARCELONA FOR BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER JOSHUA KIMMI

05 February 2024

Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich is being targeted by both Manchester City and Barcelona this summer. Meanwhile, Liverpool are “very confident” that Trent Alexander-Arnold — whose current deal expires in 2025 — will sign a new long-term contract with the Reds, and England boss Gareth Southgate was in attendance to watch Jordan Henderson make his Ajax debut at the weekend.

KIMMICH TARGETED BY MAN CITY AND BARCELONA
Manchester City will reportedly challenge Barcelona to sign Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich.

The Mail claims Pep Guardiola wants to bolster his midfield and have identified the German international as a possible signing.

“Manchester City look set to compete with Barcelona to sign Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.

“After missing out on Declan Rice in the summer, Pep Guardiola appears keen to add another defensive midfielder to his ranks.

“Barcelona have long been linked with Kimmich, however a move for him broke down due to their financial constraints.

“The Catalan giants will reportedly revisit their interest in Kimmich in the summer.

“But, according to Football Espana, now Pep Guardiola wants to reunite with the highly-rated German defensive midfielder.

“As per The Athletic, the reigning European champions will consider whether to move for Kimmich during the summer.”

The 28-year-old’s contract with Bayern is set to run out in 2025.

REDS TO OFFER ALEXANDER-ARNOLD NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT
Liverpool are “very confident” that Trent Alexander-Arnold will sign a new long-term contract, claims a report.

With just 18 months on his current deal, Alexander-Arnold’s future at Anfield has made headlines recently, following the shock announcement that Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season.

“Liverpool are planning to hold new contract talks with Trent Alexander-Arnold, sources have told Football Insider,”

“The Reds expected an agreement to be struck with the 25-year-old following initial discussions last autumn but they did not get a deal completed.

“New negotiations have now been scheduled with the player and his representatives ahead of the summer transfer window.

“Sources say the Merseyside club are very confident that Alexander-Arnold will commit to a new long-term deal at Anfield.”

Football Insider revealed in October that Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold were close to agreeing a new deal worth more than £55 million.

The terms discussed were set to see the right-back earn north of £200,000 per week, making him one of the club’s top earners.

Alexander-Arnold’s current deal at Liverpool is set to expire in 2025, but the league leaders are eager to tie down their star player ahead of time.

Senior figures at Liverpool are eager to keep hold of important players following Klopp’s exit decision.

SOUTHGATE WATCHES HENDERSON’S DEBUT
Gareth Southgate was in attendance to watch Jordan Henderson make his Ajax debut, claims the Mirror.

Henderson, 33, left Al Ettifaq in January to join up with the Dutch giants, just months after leaving Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League club.

The midfielder has continued to appear for England and Southgate had the opportunity to watch him for 90 minutes on Saturday as Ajax played out a 1–1 draw with PSV.

The report reads: “England boss Gareth Southgate was in attendance to watch Jordan Henderson make his Ajax debut in a 1–1 draw against runaway Eredivisie leaders PSV on Saturday.

“Despite signing for Ajax over two weeks ago, Henderson’s debut had been delayed while he waited for a work permit. However, Henderson was finally available for Ajax’s clash against PSV and he played the full 90 minutes as his side were held to a draw at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

“Speaking after making his Ajax bow, Henderson told ESPN: ‘Obviously it was a special day for me and my family. To represent this football club for the first time — that was special. And to play in this stadium was really special’.”