Is this the end of devotion?
The transfer rumors surrounding Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich) are becoming increasingly clear. Despite battling injuries throughout the season, Kim Min-jae played a total of 43 matches and logged 3,593 minutes, supporting the team. He is expected to be on the sales list this summer, and reports suggest that the club may offer him at a lower price than when he was acquired.
British media outlet 'Sports Bible' reported on the 19th (Korean time) that "Bayern is preparing to dispose of Kim Min-jae for a much lower amount than expected."
Christian Falk, a journalist from the influential German outlet 'Bild,' also stated, "Kim Min-jae has received notification from the club regarding the possibility of transfer, and he could be sold for between 30 million and 35 million euros (approximately 47 billion to 55 billion won)." This is about 40% lower than the buyout figure (50 million euros) when Bayern acquired Kim Min-jae last year.
Falk added that Kim Min-jae, who had hoped to remain, has changed his stance and expressed to club insiders that he is open to the possibility of a transfer. Indeed, major media outlets in Germany have reported that discussions are taking place within Bayern regarding Kim Min-jae's future, with the club no longer considering him a 'key pillar.'
Florian Plettenberg, a journalist classified as 'tier-1 authority,' also mentioned, "Kim Min-jae is currently not regarded as an absolute presence at Bayern," adding that the club is likely to consider selling him if a suitable offer arises. Bild highlighted Jonathan Tah of Bayer Leverkusen as a potential replacement, while 'Sky Sports' mentioned Dean Henderson as a candidate, visualizing potential transfer scenarios.
Interest in Kim Min-jae has not waned. French transfer market expert Santi Aouna reported that "Premier League clubs such as Chelsea and Newcastle United have directly contacted Kim Min-jae's agent," indicating interest from teams in Europe's top leagues, while journalist Rudy Galetti stated, "Serie A teams Juventus and Inter Milan, as well as Saudi clubs, are also interested in acquiring him."
Kim Min-jae has been dealing with pain since suffering an Achilles injury in October during a match against Eintracht Frankfurt. Recovery has been delayed even during the winter break, but under coach Vincent Kompany, he reclaimed his starting position. After the departures of Upamecano and Hiroki Ito for the season, he has effectively held the defensive line on his own.
As a result, Kim Min-jae has logged 3,593 minutes this season, the highest recorded among the team's defenders.
In contrast, Upamecano played 1,761 minutes, while Alphonso Davies was limited to 1,561 minutes, both concluding their seasons early. Kim Min-jae remained in the squad until the end of the season, only receiving rest just after the league championship was secured. Bayern then held a victory ceremony with fans at Marienplatz, and Kim Min-jae achieved a remarkable record as the first Korean player to win the domestic league title in two of Europe’s top five leagues.
Nonetheless, criticism of Kim Min-jae continued after the midway point of the season. Errors in matches such as the Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund and the Champions League quarterfinal against Inter Milan drew negative attention, with local media labeling him as the 'worst defender.' Some German outlets have mentioned the possibility that Kim Min-jae could be excluded from the squad plans for next season.
However, the numbers do not lie. The football statistics media 'Squawka' published the rankings of major aspects of the Bundesliga for the 2024-2025 season, in which Kim Min-jae ranked third overall in passing success with 2,337 passes. The top two were Joshua Kimmich (3,183 passes) and Granit Xhaka (2,501 passes). This record proves his significant impact in build-up play beyond just simple defensive abilities.
In a recent interview with local media, Kim Min-jae stated, "There have been many difficulties over the past seven months, but there is no reason for me to leave the team. I want to stay. Of course, I will monitor the situation further." Currently, his contract runs until 2028.
Kim Min-jae's dedication, having supported the team with his whole body, now faces the cruel conclusion of 'exploitation followed by release.' This summer, his movement is emerging as one of the biggest topics in the European transfer market.
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