The love call for Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich) is again heating up the center of the European transfer market.
European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano noted on the 23rd (Korea time) through his social media that "Kim Min-jae could leave the team this summer if he receives a satisfactory offer from Bayern Munich and himself. He is no longer 'untouchable'. Major European clubs are aware of this situation, and clubs from the Saudi Pro League are also exploring the possibility of signing him."
This statement, which is practically interpreted as Bayern excluding Kim Min-jae from the 'NFS (Not For Sale)' list, immediately shook Europe. Especially with Juventus, Chelsea, and Newcastle United considering him a top priority for summer reinforcement, the fact that Saudi clubs have also shown interest is significant.
According to local media, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli, supported by the Saudi sovereign wealth funds, are emerging as strong candidates. For Kim Min-jae, moving to Saudi Arabia can be a practical attraction, as it offers the opportunity to enjoy a high salary while also providing a relatively quiet environment after rising to a top-tier European stage through the Asian platform.
The rapid emergence of transfer rumors surrounding Kim Min-jae is intertwined with his poor performance and a demanding schedule. He was directly involved in conceding goals in matches against Borussia Dortmund and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Inter Milan, avoiding criticism from the German media. The German newspaper Bild even reported that Kim Min-jae's market value has been set at €50 million (about 81 billion won).
These criticisms are not solely Kim Min-jae's issue. Despite frequent injuries such as Achilles tendonitis, knee and back pain, and pharyngitis, he has participated in 42 out of Bayern's 47 matches. In terms of playing time, he ranks second on the team after Joshua Kimmich, indicating that he remains a key resource for the team, having played more than attacking players Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise.
The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) also expressed concern over the excessive workload on Kim Min-jae, stating that "a system to protect players is necessary." Kim Min-jae's position in Europe remains strong. Newcastle has recently prioritized strengthening their center-back position due to aging defenders and frequent injuries, with local reports stating that Kim Min-jae is at the top of their list.
Chelsea also considered Kim Min-jae as a central part of a long-term project alongside Dean Henderson of Bournemouth, although it is reported that the recent trend has changed. Juventus is reportedly holding off negotiations because Kim Min-jae's response regarding a return to Serie A has been lukewarm. Nevertheless, Kim Min-jae's camp is not pursuing official negotiations as the season is still ongoing.
It seems a definitive decision will be made around the opening of the summer transfer market. Bayern is still competing for the Bundesliga title, and Kim Min-jae is known to be a player with strong responsibility towards the team. In this situation, there is a high likelihood that Kim Min-jae will monitor the approaches from other clubs in the summer transfer market.
Ultimately, what remains is what choice Kim Min-jae will make after being released from 'untouchable' status. He is a "monster center-back" who won the Serie A title with SSC Napoli and was even nominated for the Ballon d'Or. Given that Bayern is showing a calm reaction to the excessive workload, it seems that even if Kim Min-jae embarks on a new challenge, domestic football fans will continue to support him.
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