Bayern Munich want a final contract decision from midfielder Joshua Kimmich before Wednesday's Champions League last 16 clash with Bayer Leverkusen, a report has claimed.
Kimmich's current deal has just three months left to run and he had been expected to ink an extension, only for Bayern to eventually withdraw the offer out of frustration towards Kimmich's hesitation to accept.
His status as an impending free agent has attracted interest from Europe's elite. Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid are known admirers, while Arsenal have now joined the race to snap Kimmich up on a free transfer this summer.
An extension with Bayern is not yet ruled out, however, but BILD state Kimmich has until Wednesday's first leg against Bayer Leverkusen to confirm his desire to stay if he wants smooth negotiations over an extension.
It is said that a new contract for Kimmich is "extremely unlikely" if he does not reaffirm his commitment to the club in the next 48 hours.
"Generally, no one is above the club," sporting director Max Eberl stressed. "If a player decides differently, then he decides differently. Then things will continue at FC Bayern.
"There were great players here at FC Bayern who eventually had to leave the club because they couldn't reach an agreement and their contracts ran out. Then it all just keeps happening."
Keen to keep the door open to Kimmich when asked whether the midfielder was set to leave, Eberl concluded: "We are not at that point. That was speaking very generally."
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