Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich) once again stands at a crucial crossroads in his career. A year ago, he challenged the German stage, and this summer, he is being asked to make another choice.
Christian Falk of Germany's Bild reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that "Kim Min-jae received transfer offers from Manchester United and a Saudi Arabian club last summer but rejected them all." Kim Min-jae expressed his firm intention, stating, "I want to continue competing for a starting spot at Bayern Munich," and Manchester United ultimately revised its plans by acquiring Matthijs de Ligt.
Until then, Kim Min-jae's choice appeared clear. His ambition to establish himself while competing at the highest level in Europe and his self-set goal of being in the "Bundesliga Best 11" were clear signals.
In fact, the initial results exceeded expectations. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, he quickly secured a starting position and during the first half of the 2024-2025 season under coach Vincent Kompany, he showcased his prowess as a "monster defender." He was the cornerstone of Bayern's defense.
In the second half of the season, shadows loomed. Aggravated pain in his Achilles tendon, which had persisted since last October, made it difficult to maintain normal condition, and he also suffered from throat and back pain. He had to forgo national team call-ups to focus on recovery, but he was forced to return before fully healed due to his team's injury crisis.
Despite his dedication, the results were harsh. Frequent mistakes and overall defensive instability led to intensified criticism, and the situation worsened with the UEFA Champions League's early elimination. While coach Kompany defended him, Director General Max Eberl raised concerns about Kim Min-jae's declining condition in public settings.
Local media, including Germany's Sky Sports, reported that "Bayern does not consider Kim Min-jae an untouchable asset," and they would consider selling him if a reasonable offer comes in.
In fact, big European clubs such as Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Juventus are closely monitoring Kim Min-jae's situation. There is also mention of continued interest from Saudi Arabian clubs.
The reality is complicated. Kim Min-jae is among the top earners at Bayern. Transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano diagnosed that "most European clubs would find it difficult to afford Kim Min-jae's salary." Without a salary reduction, a transfer within Europe would be challenging.
Bayern also plans to demand a transfer fee of over 50 million euros (approximately 81.5 billion won). With a contract remaining until the summer of 2028, the club has no urgent reason to sell.
From Kim Min-jae's perspective, the dilemma is deepening. If he fully recovers his physical condition and seizes opportunities again, there is still room for a resurgence at Bayern Munich. Kim Min-jae harbors a strong desire to continue his career in the Bundesliga and the Champions League.
The harsh local opinion, recurring transfer rumors, and the club's cold perspective are variables that cannot be ignored. Kim Min-jae, who made a significant decision last summer, finds himself once again at a critical juncture in his football life.
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