Joshua Kimmich about to sign a contract extension through 2023

A tiny report from kicker has made big waves for fans of Bayern Munich: Joshua Kimmich is about to sign a contract extension that will bind him to the club until 2023, the same maximum term as that signed by Kingsley Coman.

Kimmich’s current contract expires in 2020. Negotiations with the 22-year-old, who has established himself both at Bayern and in the German national team, have reportedly already concluded. Kimmich will sign the extension in early 2018.

Kimmich has surpassed all expectations since starting for Bayern Munich at right-back this season. Last season, while largely riding the bench behind club legend Philipp Lahm, he logged 2092 minutes across competitions, netting 9 goals and 2 assists. This season, he has already surpassed that mark with 2195 minutes, 3 goals and a whopping 10 assists.

Kimmich is on track to be one of Bayern Munich’s most consistent offensive contributors, all while simultaneously covering the Bavarians’ defense on the right. Kimmich is easily one of the best right-backs in the world, arguably the best. It makes perfect sense for him and for Bayern to extend their their collaboration for the foreseeable future.

In the aftermath of the stunning news that Liverpool has just paid Southampton €84 million for centerback Virgil van Dijk, it is worth noting that Bayern paid VfB Stuttgart just over one tenth of that sum - all of €8.5 million (or about two thirds of Sandro Wagner) - for Kimmich in 2015.

Suffice it to say that Joshua Kimmich is not for sale.