Kim Min-jae considers Premier League or Saudi Arabia amid Bayern exit rumors

Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is still the subject of various discussions regarding his next destination.

European transfer market expert Fabrizio Romano noted on the 22nd (Korea time) that "There is a high possibility that Kim Min-jae's destination will be the Premier League or Saudi Arabia."

Romano responded to a fan's question, saying, "He is receiving a high salary. However, the Premier League or Saudi Arabia is more likely." It is stated that competitions with greater economic power than Serie A are considered strong candidates for Kim Min-jae's next destination. However, there are projections that the high salary may pose a hurdle in transfer negotiations.

Kim Min-jae greatly contributed to Bayern's league victory in the 2023-2024 season, playing a total of 43 matches and 3,593 minutes across all competitions. He played 2,289 minutes in the Bundesliga. His playing time in the league is the second highest in the team, following Joshua Kimmich.

Despite injuries, Kim Min-jae remained dedicated to the team. He has been playing since last October with Achilles tendon pain and has not rested due to the injuries of his teammates. The International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPro) expressed concern, stating that it has reached a level of exploitation.

Kim Min-jae was rewarded with a "victory." Bayern reclaimed the Meisterschale that they had lost to Bayer Leverkusen last season, returning to the top of the Bundesliga after two years.

After winning the Serie A title during his time at Napoli, Kim Min-jae became the first South Korean player to achieve the top position in two of the five major European leagues.

However, it seems that Kim Min-jae's form has declined in the latter part of the season amid "exploitation controversies," which has cast a shadow over Bayern. As his mistakes increased, the German media uniformly criticized him, and reports of a shocking "sale" possibility followed. Media outlets such as Sky Sports Germany, Bild, and Kicker reported that Kim Min-jae was placed on the release list.

Bayern is accelerating the recruitment of center-backs overlapping with Kim Min-jae's position, hinting at a potential separation from him. Bild reported that Max Eberl, the director, received approval from the supervisory board regarding summer transfer market plans, including the acquisition of Jonathan Tah. It added, "Now Bayern is hoping for offers to come in for Kim Min-jae."

In fact, German media outlets such as Transfermarkt and RAN have excluded Kim Min-jae from Bayern's expected lineup for next season. The defense line is said to be composed of Taa and Dayot Upamecano.

Initially, Kim Min-jae expressed his intention to stay, saying, "I have no reason to leave. I will prepare my body for next season," showing his loyalty. However, as time passed, his stance changed. Christian Falk from Bild reported that "He would not hesitate to move if there is an attractive offer," indicating a shift in attitude.

There are many teams showing interest in Kim Min-jae. Alongside European powerhouses such as Chelsea, Newcastle United, Juventus, and Inter Milan, Saudi clubs are also moving in. Bayern is expecting between €30 million and €35 million (about 46.9 billion to 54.8 billion won) from Kim Min-jae's transfer.

The issue is the salary. Kim Min-jae is estimated to be receiving a salary of up to €17 million (about 27.7 billion won) at Bayern. This amount ranks him 7th in the team. This is considered top-level treatment in Premier League clubs. Romano stated, "The high salary may be a burden for European teams. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has the financial capacity to bear this."

Saudi sovereign wealth funds (PIF)-backed clubs such as Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad, and Al Ahli may even offer higher salaries to Kim Min-jae. Romano remarked that "Kim Min-jae will have to consider whether to reduce his salary to stay in Europe or choose to go to Saudi Arabia."

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