Joshua Kimmich has conceded that Bayern Munich is in urgent need of bolstering its attack after the club missed out on securing Florian Wirtz, who opted for Liverpool instead. On Friday, the Reds agreed a deal potentially setting a new British record at $157 million for Bayer Leverkusen star Wirtz.
Bayern, who was once viewed as the favourite to land Wirtz, was outmanoeuvred by Arne Slot and Liverpool, convincing the 22 year old prodigy to choose Anfield.
Wirtz communicated his choice to the Reds back in May, which set the stage for Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes to negotiate terms with Leverkusen's Simon Rolfes. Meanwhile, Bayern was left to rue what might have been, having been quite confident of securing the deal itself.
Now, with the departure of club icon Thomas Muller and Leroy Sane's decision to reject a contract extension in favor of a move to Galatasaray, Bayern finds itself in search of fresh talent.
As Vincent Kompany's team prepares for FIFA's new Club World Cup tournament in the United States, Kimmich acknowledges that the combination of high-profile departures and Wirtz's snub has left Bayern wanting in the offensive department.
"You'll have to ask the club what their plans are," he remarked. "Of course, you have the feeling that we could do something – with Flo (Wirtz) not coming, with Leroy leaving, with Thomas leaving.
Florian Wirtz looks set to complete his move to Liverpool soon
Florian Wirtz looks set to complete his move to Liverpool soon (Image: Getty Images)
"I was surprised that he (Sane) is going to Turkey. I didn't expect that. But it's his decision and he'll have his reasons for it."
Kompany remained tight-lipped on transfer dealings, yet Max Eberl, Bayern's sporting director, has openly shared the club's sense of missed opportunity regarding Wirtz and recognised the necessity for investment in the squad.
Eberl commented: "I am sure that we will have a competitive team - and that we will also have the finances under control."
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About Wirtz, he expressed: "If I'm honest, I don't know if we could have paid what Liverpool is apparently paying now. Florian Wirtz is an outstanding player. We could have imagined signing him. But when a door closes, another opens."
"The focus is on the squad we have here. We've brought along some young players, and now we've added two Germany internationals in Tom Bischof and Jonathan Tah, who have come in on free transfers. That's already a big step.
"We have a clear plan on how we want to implement things. But there's still a lot to do. I'm certain we will have a very strong squad."