Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is increasingly likely to be excluded from Bayern Munich's future plans.
The management of Bayern Munich has officially expressed its position that it would allow a transfer if "appropriate conditions" are met, and it seems they have already begun internal preparations to move him out.
Bild reported on the 27th (Korean time) that "Director General Max Eberl has commenced preparations for the 2025 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Club World Cup while also working on restructuring the new season's squad." Notably, strengthening the center-back position has emerged as a core task for Bayern Munich, and the possibility of Kim Min-jae's transfer is becoming more concrete.
Bayern Munich is prepared to negotiate if a suitable offer for Kim Min-jae arrives in this summer's transfer market. This is a concrete move that goes beyond mere interest, with the background being his injury history and declining performance.
Since last October, Kim Min-jae has been suffering from a left Achilles tendon injury. Even after recovery, his performance has not been what it used to be, and there are pessimistic forecasts internally suggesting that, even if he participates in the 2025 Club World Cup, it would only be possible after the quarter-finals.
In this atmosphere, Kim Min-jae's name has risen to the center of the European and Middle Eastern transfer markets. Potential destinations include a return to Serie A, Ligue 1, Saudi Arabia, as well as Premier League teams such as Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle.
CurtOffside reported that "Liverpool and Manchester United are keeping an eye on Kim Min-jae. He garnered expectations after transferring from Napoli to Bayern Munich, but his position within the team has rapidly weakened recently."
In particular, the addition of Bayer Leverkusen's star defender Jonathan Tah to Munich could significantly impact Kim Min-jae's reduced role.
Christian Falk, a football expert with Bild, noted that "there have not yet been any concrete offers or negotiations regarding Kim Min-jae, but interest from Saudi Arabian clubs certainly exists" and added that "Kim Min-jae himself is not completely ruling out the possibility of a transfer."
Bayern Munich is not guaranteeing Kim Min-jae's future. At the start of the season, he was expected to perform well, but after his Achilles tendon injury, he lost confidence due to decreased concentration during games and repeated mistakes. He showed a clear decline in the second half, which is considered a structural limitation rather than just a simple slump.
Kim Min-jae donned the Bayern Munich jersey in the summer of 2023 after being awarded the title of "Serie A Defender of the Year" at Napoli. However, becoming a transfer target after just one season is exceptional and symbolically reflects his current standing.
Of course, Kim Min-jae remains a sought-after defensive asset among Europe's big clubs. However, Bayern Munich no longer views him as a core player and considers him one of the candidates for restructuring the squad. If a transfer materializes, it would convey a clear message from the club regarding the "asset" that has been sidelined from their plans.
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