Bayern Munich defender Eric Dier will leave the team at the end of this season, drawing attention to the future of Kim Min-jae.

German 'Sky Sports' reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that Dier chose to forgo a contract renewal and opted for a transfer to AS Monaco. His contract will expire in June, and he is set to begin a three-year contract with Monaco starting July 1. Dier, who joined Bayern on loan from Tottenham Hotspur last January, signed a full transfer two months later.

Until last season, he was favored by coach Thomas Tuchel and was a starter in the second half of the season, but this season, he has been pushed to the bench entirely. He has played a total of 25 matches this season, including 13 league games and 3 UEFA Champions League matches. As a result, Dier, who was vying for a starting position, rejected a contract renewal.

Bayern's Director General Christoph Freund confirmed the farewell on the 2nd at an official press conference, stating, "There were discussions about renewing Dier's contract, but he did not want an extension. We respect his decision." He added, "He was a really good player, and we enjoyed our time together. I hope his Bayern career ends with his first championship trophy."

In fact, Dier is on the verge of his first championship victory. If Bayern wins against RB Leipzig on the 3rd, it will virtually secure the Bundesliga title for the 2024-2025 season. For Dier, who has not had a connection with trophies for a long time, this could be a special moment. His close friend and Tottenham teammate Harry Kane is also looking for his first championship, but he will miss this match due to accumulated warnings.

Against this backdrop, former German national team analyst Dietmar Hamann sharply criticized Bayern's decision. In a contribution to Sky Sports, he noted, "Dier has always been sincere and never detracted from the team. In fact, in the second half, he was an essential player," adding, "He did not express discontent when he was not playing and delivered performances above expectations when given the opportunity."

Hamann especially praised Dier's mentality. He stated, "He has shown impressive defense in recent matches alongside Josip Stanišić, and he has played a role in organizing the team's internal atmosphere. With Bayern preparing for the Club World Cup, his departure is not merely the exit of one player."

With Dier's departure, strengthening Bayern's defense has become a necessity rather than an option. In fact, Bayern is considering various defenders, including Kim Min-jae, as non-sale targets rather than NFS (Not for Sale). This is due to the depth issues, and there are thoughts of selling them while blaming the players for the insufficient depth.

In particular, Kim Min-jae has been among the players severely overworked in the top five European leagues. Additionally, in the March A-match, Dayot Upamecano suffered an injury, which has left Kim struggling with Achilles tendinitis and bronchitis, affecting his condition and causing him to receive ridicule from German fans.

Ultimately, in some ways, Dier's escape may be a wise choice. Kim Min-jae is currently linked with Newcastle and Serie A teams like Juventus and Napoli. Furthermore, it is reported that Saudi Arabia is enticing him with a substantial salary.

It remains to be seen how Dier's departure from Bayern, which only blames defenders, will affect Kim Min-jae.

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