The powers that be at Spanish giants Barcelona will no doubt be on high alert, after word of Joshua Kimmich’s situation at Bayern Munich reaching breaking point surfaced online.
As much, of course, comes with Barcelona understood to be keeping a close eye on developments surrounding the midfielder with a view to the summer.
Kimmich, for his part, was afforded his latest start on Sunday, as Bayern made the trip to the Vonovia Ruhrstadion, for a Bundesliga meeting with VfL Bochum.
Thomas Tuchel’s troops headed into proceedings in the knowledge that nothing but a victory would suffice, after slipping a full eight points off the pace being set by Xabi Alonso’s table-topping Bayer Leverkusen.
And yet, when all was said and done on Sunday, the Bavarians failed to even emerge with a share of the spoils.
This came as strikes on the part of Jamal Musiala and Harry Kane failed to cover up for the three goals netted by Bochum at the other end.
Now looking in serious danger of surrendering their long-standing champions status in Germany, it should in turn come as little surprise to hear of cracks beginning to appear behind the scenes at Bayern.
As revealed by Diario Sport, citing reliable sources in Germany, Joshua Kimmich was involved in a serious falling out with a member of boss Thomas Tuchel’s staff on Sunday.
After being hooked from proceedings just beyond the hour mark, with his side trailing by two goals to one, versatile midfielder Kimmich was spotted looking utterly bemused on the Bayern bench.
Post-match, the 29-year-old, in turn, made his frustrations clear with Zsolt Löw, one of Tuchel’s assistant managers.
During a team talk on Löw’s part, Kimmich responded angrily, sparking a heated exchange between the pair.
In fact, so testy are things understood to have gotten, that Manuel Neuer was forced to intervene to separate the two.
As much comes amid what has long represented a strained relationship between Kimmich and headmaster Tuchel at the Allianz Arena.
All the while, suitors Barcelona continue to watch on with intent ahead of the summer…
Conor Laird | GSFN
