Kim Min-jae considers staying at Bayern despite Juventus interest

Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) may return to Italy, which earned him the nickname 'Blue Iron Pillar.' Transfer rumors surrounding him, the first Korean player to conquer both Serie A and Bundesliga, are flaring up again.

Italian 'Spazio J' reported on the 11th (Korea time), "Juventus is serious. They have already started contact with Bayern. Cristian Giuntoli, the Director General, wants to reunite with Kim Min-jae. Bayern also answered 'yes.'"

The media noted, "According to Rudy Galetti, Juventus also inquired about signing Kim Min-jae. They seriously requested information. Contact is ongoing. Although negotiations have not yet started, Bayern is open to selling Kim Min-jae if a suitable offer comes in. The player's value is around 40 million euros (approximately 63 billion won). They may attempt a loan with an obligation to buy, partitioning the payment amount."

Rumors of a transfer for Kim Min-jae began heating up last month. The report from the German version of 'Sky Sports' was the starting point. The media stated, "Bayern is open to offers! Kim Min-jae can leave," adding that "Kim Min-jae is no longer an untouchable player at Bayern. If a suitable offer corresponding to his value comes, Bayern is willing to have discussions."

Florian Plettenberg, a reporter for Sky Sports, also commented, "Kim Min-jae is not regarded as an 'untouchable' player at Bayern," and stated, "If Kim Min-jae leaves, Bayern will reinvest that money. Otherwise, they are planning next season with Kim Min-jae, Dayot Upamecano, Hiroki Ito, Eric Dier, and Josip Stanišić as center-back options. Kim Min-jae's contract runs until 2028."

News that Kim Min-jae could leave Bayern has been circulating constantly. German 'Bild' also reported that Bayern would not block the transfer if they could recover the 50 million euros (approximately 82 billion won) they invested in Kim Min-jae two years ago. The media asserted, "Kim Min-jae's buyout clause is 110 million euros (approximately 180.3 billion won). However, they can sell him for just 50 million euros."

European football transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano did not miss out. He stated on his social media, "Kim Min-jae could leave Bayern this summer. This is a concrete possibility!" He added, "Premier League clubs Chelsea and Newcastle United, Serie A's Juventus, and Saudi Arabian clubs have shown interest in Kim Min-jae."

Romano also discussed Kim Min-jae's transfer news on his YouTube channel, stating, "There is a concrete possibility that Kim Min-jae could leave Bayern if a good offer comes in during the summer transfer market. He should be monitored. Several European clubs have been calling to inquire about Kim Min-jae's situation. The interest from Saudi clubs is also real."

He also mentioned practical issues. Romano noted, "Kim Min-jae is receiving a significantly high salary at Bayern. Although his transfer fee is not particularly high, the salary figure is quite substantial. This could be a problem for European teams." He added, "Kim Min-jae needs to decide whether to take a pay cut and continue his life in Europe or move to Saudi Arabia. Let's see what happens. Of course, Bayern also needs a satisfactory offer. However, the possibility of Kim Min-jae leaving Bayern is indeed concrete."

Kim Min-jae himself has expressed his intention to stay at Bayern. In an interview with German 'Sport1,' he stated, "There is no reason to leave. I want to stay with the team. I have been playing through Achilles pain for the past 7 months. My biggest goal is to get fit and play healthily for the next season."

However, Bayern is still considering parting ways with Kim Min-jae. Galeotti noted, "Clubs in England, Saudi Arabia, Juventus, and Serie A's Inter have requested information about Kim Min-jae. Bayern is willing to sell him this summer if a suitable offer comes. Although there have not been in-depth discussions yet, interest is growing."

Bayern is already pushing to recruit a new large defender. They are targeting Jonathan Tah, who is leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of his contract. He recently officially announced his departure from Leverkusen. Bayern, which attempted to sign Tah last summer, is reportedly making him a priority and entering specific negotiations.

Amidst this, rumors of his return to Serie A have resurfaced. Notably, Giuntoli, the Director General of Juventus, has a deep connection with Kim Min-jae. He was actively involved in pursuing Kim Min-jae's signing during his time at Napoli in 2022. Thanks to him, Kim Min-jae, who was playing at Turkey's Fenerbahçe at the time, was able to enter the big leagues.

As a result, Giuntoli's choice proved to be the perfect answer. Kim Min-jae led Serie A in fewest goals conceded with a solid defense, helping Napoli reach the Serie A summit for the first time in 33 years. In the summer of 2023, both Kim Min-jae and Giuntoli parted ways with Napoli. Kim Min-jae donned the Bayern uniform, while Giuntoli found a new home at Juventus.

This connection may continue at Juventus. Italian 'Tutto Mercato Web' emphasized, "Giuntoli will surely not forget Kim Min-jae, one of the leaders who led Napoli to the Scudetto. He is no longer an unsellable asset at Bayern but may regain popularity in Serie A. Kim Min-jae is a left-footed center-back with strong physicality and abundant experience, a player Juventus is looking for."

While the exact possibility remains unclear, it appears that Giuntoli is keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae. Spazio J reported, "The name Giuntoli has long been obsessed with has resurfaced. Kim Min-jae has not performed as well at Bayern as he did during his time at Napoli," and added, "Giuntoli is working on signing several players. He is ready to launch an offensive against Bayern for Kim Min-jae and face off against Inter directly."

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