Bayern Munich is curious about the future of Kim Min-jae (29, Munich), the key player behind their championship victory.
Bayern Munich decorated the final home game of the season with a victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach, winning 2-0 in the 33rd round of the 2024-2025 Bundesliga held at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, on the 11th. Kim Min-jae contributed greatly to the championship. He started in all 27 Bundesliga matches this season. He played through injury despite suffering from an Achilles tendon injury.
This was because all of his fellow defenders, including Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito, and Dayo Upamecano, were injured. Kim Min-jae, who was confirmed to be out for the season due to an Achilles tendon injury, was excluded from the final home game. Kim Min-jae hoisted the trophy vigorously alongside his teammates. In Munich, Kim Min-jae was treated as a key player who contributed to the championship.
Bayern has regained the pride of a prestigious club. On the 5th, Bayer Leverkusen confirmed an early championship by drawing with Freiburg. Bayern Munich, which was overshadowed by Bayer Leverkusen's unbeaten championship last season, reclaimed the Meisterschale after just one year, restoring its pride. And at the center of it all was Kim Min-jae.
While winning in the Bundesliga, Kim Min-jae has written a new chapter in Korean football history. In 2023, Kim Min-jae conquered Serie A in Italy with Napoli, and now he has reached the top of the German Bundesliga. He is the first Korean player to win in two of the five major leagues in Europe. Moreover, he is the first in Asia as well. Kim Min-jae has been a key player wherever he goes.
What is even more remarkable is that Kim Min-jae played on despite his injuries for the team's championship. He fought through chronic Achilles tendonitis and bronchitis, remaining committed to the team until the end. Nevertheless, after the championship, Bayern's club social media excluded Kim Min-jae from the championship poster, leading to controversy over 'racial discrimination.' Despite all the team's key players being present, Kim Min-jae was notably excluded. Claims have been raised that this is a form of racial discrimination against Tongyang individuals.
Fortunately, there were no unfortunate incidents of discrimination against Kim Min-jae at the championship party. At the moment he received the championship trophy and posed for photographs, Kim Min-jae smiled brightly in front of numerous foreign media cameras. Although the team's emblematic player, Manuel Neuer, received the trophy first, it was immediately handed over to Thomas Müller, who is about to retire, and in this scene, Kim Min-jae cheered and clapped alongside his teammates.
It is still too early to be relieved. Kim Min-jae is not included in Bayern's plans for the next season. There is a high possibility that Bayern will sell Kim Min-jae this summer. German outlet TZ reported, "Juventus and Inter Milan are competing to bring Bayern Munich's center-back Kim Min-jae to Italy. Both clubs have already requested information about Kim Min-jae from Munich. Bayern is also opening the door for negotiations to possibly transfer Kim Min-jae this summer. Although there has been no progress so far, interest in Kim Min-jae is growing."
Kim Min-jae has already experienced winning Serie A with Napoli in 2023. The Italian stage is a familiar environment for Kim Min-jae. If Bayern treats Kim Min-jae poorly, returning to Italy wouldn't be a bad option. In fact, Inter Milan has consistently shown interest in acquiring Kim Min-jae on loan since last season. Despite the unsuccessful acquisition, Inter Milan continues to want Kim Min-jae.
Juventus also has Gianluca Zaurtoli, who discovered Kim Min-jae during his time at Napoli, now onboard. He is genuinely interested in acquiring Kim Min-jae. Italian media emphasized, "Zaurtoli wants to acquire good players to revive Juventus. Kim Min-jae, who was in his prime alongside him in the past, is the target."
Ultimately, Kim Min-jae's whereabouts may depend entirely on his own will. In many ways, attention is focused on where his move will lead in the summer transfer market.
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