The controversy surrounding Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is becoming more specific. Despite carrying injuries throughout the season and supporting the defense, there have been increasingly negative forecasts about his future.
Bavarian Football Works reported on the 15th (Korea time) that "Bayern Munich is disappointed with Kim Min-jae's performance" and showed an internal skeptical atmosphere.
In fact, Kim Min-jae has been playing with pain since suffering an Achilles injury in the match against Eintracht Frankfurt in October, and he has dedicated himself to the team despite accumulated fatigue and controversy over overwork.
However, the unstable performance that continued from the second half of the season seems to have shaken the club's trust.
Bild's Christian Falk analyzed that "Kim Min-jae is sensitive to recent criticism and may not hesitate to leave the team if there is a suitable offer."
He added, "There is an internal assessment that Bayern Munich has not reached the level expected of Kim Min-jae, and he is included in the list of candidates for sale this summer."
Kim Min-jae has publicly expressed a desire to "continue playing at Bayern Munich," but the club's plans seem to be heading in another direction.
The football statistics platform 'Transfermarkt' excluded Kim Min-jae from its expected starting lineup for the 2025-2026 season, with his position being filled by Jonathan Tah, whom Bayern Munich is pursuing as a free agent.
Transfer rumors are spreading towards the Premier League. Give Me Sport reported that "Newcastle United is keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae and sees him as a key target for defensive reinforcement."
Newcastle Tunes added, "Newcastle is directly contacting Kim Min-jae's agent to explore the possibility of transfer."
Football Insider, quoting the analysis of former Manchester United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, evaluated that "Kim Min-jae is a defender with elite experience and calmness, competitive even in the Premier League." He noted that "Newcastle is seeking to strengthen their defense for a challenge in the UEFA Champions League and Kim Min-jae is an ideal option."
Meanwhile, Italian clubs are also paying attention to Kim Min-jae's movements. TZ stated that Juventus and Inter Milan are pursuing his transfer and have already officially requested information from Bayern Munich.
An analysis suggests that the increased frequency of mistakes has also influenced the transfer rumors. Sky Sports Germany pointed out that "Kim Min-jae has played a total of 77 matches for Bayern Munich this season, but there have been 6 errors directly leading to goals, the highest among all center-backs in the top five leagues in Europe and the UEFA Champions League."
Despite these criticisms, it cannot be denied that Kim Min-jae has dedicated himself to the team while playing with pain for most of the season. However, the club's perspective remains cold. As a result, the likelihood of Kim Min-jae leaving the team after the 2024-2025 season seems to be increasing.
Meanwhile, Kim Min-jae has stated, "There is no reason to leave the team," expressing his intention to stay, but reality is gradually flowing in a different direction.
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