'Man City ramp up bid to rival Real Madrid for Joshua Kimmich'
Man City are prepared to rival Real Madrid in their efforts to sign Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich upon the expiry of his contract.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old's current preference is to join Real Madrid.
City, meanwhile, are working on a deal behind the scenes and are confident they can rival Los Blancos in their efforts to convince him to make the move.
Kimmich is out of contract at the end of the season and looks set to leave Munich on a free as things stand, placing Europe's elite clubs on red alert over the move.
City see him as the ideal option to strengthen Pep Guardiola's side thanks to his versatility and consistent level of performances he has shown in the Bundesliga.
Football Insider revealed on 24 January that they have explored the possibility of a late-January move rather than waiting until the summer.
However, the Germany international is taking his time to make a decision about his future, while staying at Bayern Munich remains a possibility.
Joshua Kimmich to make Bayern Munich exit decision amid Man City interest
Kimmich remains a very important part of Vincent Kompany's side and has started every game in the Bundesliga and Champions League so far this season.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that the midfielder would "find it very difficult" to turn down Real Madrid.
"Kimmich has earnt a very good reputation playing for Bayern and Germany," he told Football Insider.
"Wherever he's asked to play, full-back or in midfield, he's been an impressive performer.
"There are quite a few clubs interested in him.
"But we're talking in this case about Manchester City and Real Madrid.
"A player like him, with a high profile and has been playing and winning everything with Bayern Munich, I think he'll find it very difficult to turn Real Madrid down.
"Man City, I'm sure, will get back to their former standards and will be confident they can compete.
"They've been making plans in the background about what to do with certain injuries and if they're going to need to replace ageing players.
"The right-back has gone, their midfielders are ageing, and it's impossible to tell how Rodri will return.
"So a player like Kimmich, with his consistency and versatility, could be a brilliant option.
"In my experience, players who have been at top-level clubs find Real Madrid very difficult to turn down when they come calling, so I think that'll be his preference.
"But we'll have to wait and see what happens."
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