Kim Min-jae (29, Bayern Munich) is seeing his future developments heading in a different direction than expected. The reactions in the transfer market surrounding him, who was listed as a likely candidate for release, are quiet.
German 'FCB Inside' quoted German transfer market expert Christian Falk's analysis on the 30th of last month (Korea time), stating, "No specific offers have yet arrived for Kim Min-jae. This is the scenario Bayern Munich was most concerned about. If this continues, we cannot rule out the possibility that Kim Min-jae may stay."
Just a few weeks ago, the situation unfolded differently. Following news of Kim Min-jae being put on the market, reports emerged that Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Juventus, AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia had shown interest. Notably, it has been reported that PSG's Director General Luis Campos directly contacted Kim Min-jae's side, and there were also indications that Al Nassr attempted a concrete approach.
There are still no signs that a transfer will materialize. Bayern has lowered the transfer fee from the initial 50 million euros to 35 million euros (approximately 55.9 billion won), but no proposals have actually been tabled. The club hoped for a quick separation even if it meant accepting a certain level of loss, but the market's response has fallen short of that expectation.
Moreover, the arrival of Jonathan Tah has further narrowed Kim Min-jae's position. Tah, who was signed as a free agent, is considered a candidate for the starting center-back next season, and it is anticipated that he will form a starting combination with Dayot Upamecano. Additionally, there are links to Portuguese defender Thomas Araújo, putting Kim Min-jae at risk of losing his place next season.
The issue is not just simple positional competition but also links to financial burdens. Kim Min-jae is among the high earners on the team, and from the club's perspective, keeping him as a bench resource is inefficient. However, in a situation where there are no suitable transfer options, the club also finds it difficult to seek effective alternatives. FCB Inside noted, "If there are no offers, Kim Min-jae will remain according to his contract," adding, "However, this is the scenario the club least wanted."
Kim Min-jae gained prominence after playing for Jeonbuk Hyundai and in the Chinese Super League, and later established himself as a key defender after transferring to Napoli. During the 2022-2023 season, he led Napoli to the league title while becoming the first to win both Serie A Best XI and Best Defender awards, a remarkable achievement.
Building on such performances, Kim Min-jae donned the Bayern Munich uniform in the summer of 2023. He was utilized as a starter in the early part of the season, showcasing impressive performances. However, as the season progressed, accumulated fatigue and injuries resulted in reduced playing time. After the season ended, the controversy over 'overwork' surfaced.
Despite dealing with various injuries, including Achilles tendonitis, knee and back pain, and pharyngitis, Kim Min-jae managed to participate in 43 out of 50 matches. He played a total of 3,593 minutes across the league and the Champions League, the second-most on the team after Joshua Kimmich. Essentially, he served as Bayern's 'Iron Man.'
As the season ends, what remains is an 'uncertain future.' Bayern has already secured his replacement, and there is no clear answer regarding Kim Min-jae's future. The longer this situation drags on, the more likely Bayern will need to revise their plans.
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