Real Madrid has sent shockwaves through the football world with a staggering €150 million bid for Bayern Munich’s star midfielder Joshua Kimmich. The offer, which includes a five-year contract worth €22 million net per season—second only to Kylian Mbappé—was designed to secure Kimmich’s services immediately and even hand him the iconic number 8 jersey, last worn by Toni Kroos. This proposal would have shattered every club record, surpassing Jude Bellingham’s €103 million arrival, and simultaneously become Bayern Munich’s biggest-ever sale, dwarfing Lucas Hernández’s €100 million transfer. The Madrid delegation arrived in Munich with contracts already signed by Florentino Pérez and a personal video message from Mbappé urging Kimmich to join “the new empire.”
According to reports, Real Madrid made their intentions clear to Bayern Munich, offering the full transfer fee upfront. The Allianz Arena boardroom reportedly fell into stunned silence as the figures were laid out. Sporting director Max Eberl reportedly pushed for acceptance and reinvestment, while honorary president Uli Hoeneß slammed the table, exclaiming that Bayern would never sell their captain to a direct rival. Sources say Kimmich himself was called to a private meeting to discuss the offer, but when confronted by journalists outside the training ground, he gave a one-word response that would reverberate across Europe: “Nein.”
The refusal sent Madrid’s delegation reeling. A private jet, ready to whisk Kimmich to Spain, departed Munich empty-handed, while Pérez reportedly slammed the contract folder shut so hard that his glass desk cracked. Bayern’s official social media responded with a single image of Kimmich in full training kit, arms crossed, captioned simply “#MiaSanMia,” which racked up millions of likes within the first hour. Fans around the world praised Kimmich’s loyalty, and trending hashtags such as #RespectKimmich circulated alongside humorous memes mocking Madrid’s frustration.
Kimmich’s decision has been hailed as a powerful statement in modern football, reminding the world that not everything can be bought—even with astronomical sums and the promise of becoming a Galactico at one of the sport’s most prestigious clubs. While Real Madrid fans were left torn between admiration and disappointment, Bayern supporters celebrated a captain who chose commitment over personal gain. Analysts suggest this moment will be remembered for years as a rare instance where loyalty triumphed over financial allure in top-tier football.
Despite this dramatic rejection, speculation continues about Kimmich’s future. With only six months remaining on his current contract, the German midfielder remains one of the most coveted players in Europe, and Madrid may revisit negotiations next summer. For now, the €150 million saga serves as a cautionary tale for football’s elite: even record-breaking money cannot always buy the heart of a player.
