Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is rapidly emerging as a player who may leave the European stage for a new challenge. Al Nassr from Saudi Arabia has initiated an aggressive recruitment campaign, and Kim Min-jae's camp is also showing a positive response to the transfer.
French outlet 'Footmercato' reported on the 11th (Korean time) that "Al Nassr is actively pursuing the recruitment of Kim Min-jae. Deep discussions are taking place with the player and his associates, and the negotiations have progressed significantly."
Kim Min-jae transferred from SSC Napoli to Bayern last summer in 2023. As the main contributor to Napoli's Serie A championship, he was expected to perform well, but his first season left much to be desired. He made a strong impression at the beginning of the season, raising expectations, but his focus diminished over time, and mistakes in crucial matches began to stand out.
He made several critical mistakes in major matches of the German Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League, causing his status within the team to become shaky. The competition for defense intensified further after the winter of the 2023-2024 season, and he even gave up his starting position to Eric Dier.
Ahead of the 2024-2025 season, Bayern, having signed Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanišić, indicated fierce competition for starting positions; however, the newly appointed manager Vincent Kompany has utilized Kim Min-jae as a starter. However, with all of his fellow center-backs sidelined by injuries, Kim Min-jae has found himself in a situation where he must play through pain despite his injuries.
Immediately after the end of the season, Bayern officially signed defender Jonathan Tah from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, accelerating their defensive restructuring. Consequently, a wind of change also began to blow regarding Kim Min-jae's situation.
In this situation, Saudi Al Nassr began an aggressive approach. Footmercato added that "Al Nassr has been very aggressively persuading Kim Min-jae's camp in recent days, showing confidence in making him leave Bayern even with a contract remaining until 2028."
Kim Min-jae is also showing an open attitude toward a move to Saudi Arabia. The media stated that "Kim Min-jae positively regards the transfer as a new challenge. Along with sporting motivation, the financial conditions are also very appealing."
With his position at Bayern not meeting expectations, the option of restarting at Al Nassr is sufficiently attractive. Numerous stars who have performed on the European stage have already joined the Saudi league, and Kim Min-jae is increasingly likely to join that trend.
The decision on the transfer is expected to be settled in the coming days. The key will be what conditions Al Nassr will present in the final transfer fee negotiations with Bayern, and how Bayern will respond to Kim Min-jae's transfer.
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