Shoot for Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich).

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 there is a satisfactory offer for both him and Bayern Munich. He is no longer 'untouchable'. Major European clubs are aware of this situation, and clubs in the Saudi Pro League are also exploring the possibility of acquiring him."

This statement, which is effectively interpreted as Bayern excluding Kim Min-jae from the 'Not For Sale' list, shook Europe immediately. In particular, Juventus, Chelsea, and Newcastle United are considering him as their top priority for summer reinforcements, while Saudi clubs have also shown interest, which is significant.

According to local media, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli, backed by Saudi sovereign wealth funds, are emerging as strong candidates. For Kim Min-jae, moving to Saudi Arabia could be practically appealing as it allows him to simultaneously enjoy a high salary and a relatively quiet environment after rising to the top European stage through the Asian stage.

The rapid emergence of rumors regarding Kim Min-jae's transfer is linked to his poor performance and an overwhelming schedule. He was directly involved in all the goals conceded during the matches against Borussia Dortmund and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Inter Milan, enduring criticism from the German media. The German outlet Bild reported that Kim Min-jae's value is set at €50 million (about 81 billion won).

These criticisms are not solely about Kim Min-jae's individual issues. Despite frequent injuries such as Achilles tendinitis, knee and back pain, and pharyngitis, he has played in 42 out of 47 matches for Bayern. In terms of playing time, he ranks second in the team, just behind Joshua Kimmich. The fact that he has played more than attacking players like Jamal Musiala, Harry Kane, and Michael Olise is still evidence that Kim Min-jae is a key resource for the team.

The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) also expressed concerns about the controversy over Kim Min-jae's overwork, stating, "There needs to be a system that protects players." Kim Min-jae's position in Europe remains solid. Newcastle has prioritized reinforcing their center-back position due to aging in their defense and frequent injuries, with local reports indicating that Kim Min-jae is at the top of their list.

Chelsea also considered Kim Min-jae as a key component of a long-term project alongside Bournemouth's Dean Henderson, but recent reports indicate a change in that direction. Juventus is currently holding negotiations due to the lukewarm response from Kim Min-jae's side regarding a return to Serie A. However, Kim Min-jae's side is not entering into official negotiations yet, given that the season is still ongoing.

It appears that a firm decision will be made around the opening of the summer transfer market. Bayern is still in the Bundesliga championship race, and Kim Min-jae is known as a player with a strong sense of responsibility to the team. In this situation, he is likely to assess approaches from other clubs during the summer transfer market.

German outlet TZ reported, "Kim Min-jae is close to leaving Bayern. He is not justifying the transfer fee. He continues to make frequent mistakes, which has ultimately placed him on the market. The board believes they are making too many mistakes," adding, "Saudi Arabia wants him, but he is ultimately popular in Europe as well."

This outlet emphasized that "from Bayern's perspective, it's not that they are determined to sell Kim Min-jae. They will sell only if a good offer comes in. The baseline is recovering the transfer fee paid when acquiring him," stressing that "ultimately, Kim Min-jae's future depends on what offers European teams make."

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