Joshua Kimmich transfer: Liverpool target 'free to leave' amid Everton twist

Liverpool could have Everton to thank if it ends up signing Joshua Kimmich. The Bayern Munich star is "free to leave", and the emerging saga has taken another twist.

With pre-season just days away, Arne Slot will soon be running the rule over the squad, finalizing where he believes Liverpool needs to strengthen. He's already been told by Wataru Endo to sign another holding midfielder, a role which Kimmich has made his own in recent years.

Of course, he has also impressed at right-back for Bayern Munich. Signing another hybrid player in the mold of Trent Alexander-Arnold would give Slot options over how he uses his vice-captain.

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And it seems Kimmich genuinely will be on the market this summer. Florian Plettenberg confirmed as much in his latest update, name-checking Liverpool as one of the 29-year-old's desired destinations:

"As revealed and now confirmed again: Joshua Kimmich could leave FC Bayern already this summer! Kimmich, captain and regular starter, can leave the club with a suitable offer.

"No Bayern plans about a contract extension beyond 2025. Vincent Kompany with other plans for central midfield. Joao Palhinha, still the desired target!

"A separation between Kimmich/Bayern is getting closer. Now or next year at the latest. Kimmich would be ready to go into the final year of his contract. He only wants to join Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Meanwhile, it's been suggested that Bayern's pursuit of Palhinha could once again hit the rocks, a year after a transfer collapsed on deadline day. Per the ECHO, the Bavarians could look to Amadou Onana of Everton as a cheaper alternative.

And while Kompany is not planning around Kimmich anyway, Bayern will presumably be more inclined to sell this summer — rather than let him run out his contract — once it has got a genuine replacement through the door. Liverpool did manage to sign Ryan Gravenberch last year despite the collapse of the Palhinha move, but Everton could at the very least grease the transfer wheels.

Liverpool.com says: That's all very well, but there's an important question about whether Liverpool would actually want Kimmich. It's believable that he favors an Anfield switch, but the feeling would need to be mutual.

Obviously, the Bayern Munich star is a world-class operator. But his wage demands very much reflect that, and at 29, he would not be one for the long-term future.

Ultimately, it's only worth listening to Endo's advice and signing another number six if it creates a succession plan. Whatever Everton and Bayern do, it's hard to see Liverpool going for Kimmich.