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Kimmich has spent the last nine years of his career in Munich after joining the club from Stuttgart in 2015 and has helped his team win the Champions League, as well as eight Bundesliga titles.

He started 27 league matches last season, predominantly as a holding midfielder before reverting to right-back, and is yet to miss a minute of action for Germany at Euro 2024.

The German giants looked set to sign the Portugal international last summer, before the deal was called off at the 11th hour, but have moved early this summer in an attempt to finally get a transfer over the line.

If Palhinha's move to Germany goes ahead without any glitches, he may find himself above Kimmich in the pecking order. And the 29-year-old German player could seek a move away to ensure he doesn't spend the campaign warming the bench.

A whole host of European clubs have been linked with Kimmich in recent months, with the Reds and the Citizens said to be facing a battle with the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona to prise him away from Germany.

But new Liverpool boss Arne Slot could send out a statement of intent by demanding club chiefs present an offer Kimmich can't refuse.

And Guardiola, who worked with the versatile player for a year during his final season in charge at the Allianz Arena, may not be able to react quickly enough to thwart the Merseysiders.

And the player remained tight-lipped over his future as he said: "This is a really interesting question for me, but it's not the most important thing right now. I know that when you sign a contract you don't sign it with the coach, you sign it with the club.

"For me, the most important thing is the club, not just the coach. But of course, it's also important to know what the coach thinks about you and the team. Other people in the club worry about choosing the coach."