Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is gradually disappearing from the German stage. Following his dedicated season, there is a growing atmosphere in which Bayern Munich no longer considers Kim Min-jae for next season's defensive lineup. With the imminent arrival of veteran defender Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen), Kim Min-jae's standing has further narrowed, and local German reports are even labeling him as 'for sale.'
Lothar Matthäus, a legend of the German national team and Bayern, selected the best XI of the Bundesliga for the 2024-2025 season on the 17th (Korean time).
Matthäus placed Bayern's Dayot Upamecano and Bayer Leverkusen’s key defender Tah in central defense. Kim Min-jae's name was absent from the list. The exclusion of Kim Min-jae from the list of best defenders by Matthäus, who has not hesitated to make critical comments about him in the past, sends a significant message.
At the same time, Bayern Munich is actually on the verge of acquiring Tah. In April, Sky Sports Germany reported that 'Bayern Munich was deeply impressed by Jonathan Tah's versatility and speed,' and specific acquisition efforts had commenced. Tah is regarded as a resource adaptable to both four-man and three-man backlines and one of the fastest defenders in the Bundesliga.
Originally, Tah’s strong destination was FC Barcelona. It was reported that the player’s side had reached a personal agreement, but negotiations stalled due to the club's financial issues, leading to a rapid change in circumstances. Bayern has taken advantage of this gap. According to local German media, Bayern Munich has already presented an offer to Tah for a three-year contract with an option for one year extension, and only the player's final decision remains.
Tah also directly mentioned the possibility of transfer. After a home game against Borussia Dortmund, he bid farewell to the fans, saying, 'Part of my heart aches, but at the same time, I feel excitement for a new journey.' The Athletic reported that 'Tah is expected to sign a contract with Bayern during the summer transfer market as a free agent,' effectively confirming the transfer.
Internal movements within Bayern Munich are also progressing in conjunction with this. To fill the void left by Eric Dier's transfer to AS Monaco, Bayern has identified Tah as a key replacement. Having played a total of 401 matches solely for Leverkusen over ten seasons, Tah is a symbolic player who led to an undefeated Bundesliga victory and a treble this season, equipped with defensive leadership and stability.
In this flow, Kim Min-jae has naturally become a 'clearing target.' Transfermarkt released Bayern Munich's projected lineup for next season, placing Tah and Upamecano as the starting center-back combination. Kim Min-jae's name was excluded from the list, and it was also noted that he is a candidate for sale. Sport Bild reported that 'Kim Min-jae is no longer an untouchable asset at Bayern Munich. He has not lived up to expectations, and the club is keeping the possibility of his transfer open.'
Christian Falk also noted that 'Kim Min-jae is ready to consider a transfer if an attractive offer comes in,' suggesting that the player's determination is leaning in that direction. Of course, Bayern has already classified him as a player who can leave. Bild reported that 'Kim Min-jae was informed by the club that he could leave the team this summer before Dier’s transfer decision.'
What is even more surprising is that Bayern is setting a low transfer fee for Kim Min-jae. He joined the club through a buyout of about 50 million euros in the last summer transfer market, but Bayern is reportedly willing to lower his transfer fee to around 30 million euros. The consideration of a 'half-price sale' in just a year indicates that internal trust in Kim Min-jae has plummeted.
This evaluation is far from reflective of Kim Min-jae's contributions this season. Despite dealing with an Achilles injury, he logged 3,593 minutes across 43 matches, recording the most appearances among defenders. He showed exceptional effort in every match, maintaining his central role even amid injuries in the defensive line. Nevertheless, receiving a notification of exclusion based on 'lack of leadership' shows that the evaluations surrounding him are not solely about performance.
Lothar Matthäus' attitude, a Bayern Munich legend, also symbolically illustrates this. He has defended Kim Min-jae after matches in the past, but has generally maintained a cold and critical perspective. His exclusion of Kim Min-jae from the best XI while placing Upamecano and Tah could be interpreted as a choice reflecting the assessments within Bayern, rather than a mere preference. Matthäus has always shown the most candid stance in selecting 'the players Bayern Munich wants and those it does not.'
Kim Min-jae's next destination is naturally shifting towards Italy. Italy's Taormina News24 reported that 'Kim Min-jae is considering a return to Serie A, with Juventus and Inter Milan showing the most active interest.' Notably, Juventus is the team with Director General Cristiano Giuntoli, who brought Kim Min-jae during his time at Napoli. This relationship may influence Kim Min-jae's decision.
Kim Min-jae was evaluated as the best defender in Serie A after leading Napoli to the league title in the 2022-2023 season. His performance in Serie A caught attention even in Germany, leading to his move to Bayern. However, the reactions from German media and the club towards Kim Min-jae are colder than anyone else. His dedicated season amid injuries is being undervalued, and his role as a central defender is being denied.
[OSEN]