As Kim Min-jae (29) sees his position gradually shrinking at Bayern Munich, will he head to Paris following his friends?
French media outlet 'Foot Mercato' reported on the 7th (Korea time) that 'PSG is considering the acquisition of Kim Min-jae to strengthen their center-back position. Director General Luis Campos met directly with Kim Min-jae's agent to discuss.'
PSG is in urgent need of center-back reinforcement due to defensive instability and the loss of key resources last season. It is analyzed that they find great appeal in Kim Min-jae's strong physicality, build-up ability, and experience in the big leagues.
Rumors of Kim Min-jae's departure are one of the hottest issues in this summer's transfer market. Expectations were high when Kim Min-jae transferred from Napoli to Munich during the summer transfer market in 2023.
The bold front build-up and overwhelming physicality he showcased at Napoli were overwhelmingly expected to work well in the Bundesliga. However, reality was different. Under coach Thomas Tuchel, Kim Min-jae struggled with tactical mismatches.
Coach Tuchel preferred stable line control and possession football, which was in stark contrast to Kim Min-jae's aggressive style. After several mistakes, Tuchel publicly criticized Kim Min-jae and even showed signs of preferring Eric Dier.
After coach Tuchel left, newly appointed coach Vincent Kompany had earmarked Kim Min-jae as a key defender and actively utilized him. However, due to injuries to existing defensive resources, Kim Min-jae had to play through the end of the season under duress.
Eventually, with combined Achilles tendon pain, Kim Min-jae dedicated himself to the team until the end. As a result, Munich lifted the Bundesliga championship trophy, ending on a high note.
Despite being a key player in the Bundesliga victory, Munich has classified Kim Min-jae as a player to be sold. This is evidenced by the acquisition of Jonathan Tah and ongoing efforts to bring in additional center-backs.
According to reports from German media 'Bild', if Kim Min-jae leaves the team during the summer transfer market, it has been conveyed that he is being considered as an alternative resource for Chelsea's Renato Paiva.
Director General Max Eberl also noted, 'Kim Min-jae is expected to remain with the team until the end of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. We will assess the situation afterward,' keeping the door open for a transfer.
Amidst his gradually shrinking position, the news that PSG is showing strong interest in acquiring Kim Min-jae could be a great hope for him. 'Foot Mercato' reported that 'Campos, the Director General, directly met with Kim Min-jae's agent in Paris this week to explore the possibility of a transfer.'
PSG is said to highly value Kim Min-jae's experience, physicality, and multi-play ability for their defensive restructuring.
Kim Min-jae also has no reason to shy away from a new challenge. PSG is a team that aims for consistent victories not only in Ligue 1 but also in the UEFA Champions League. If the transfer goes through, Kim Min-jae will have the opportunity to challenge for the European top alongside world-class stars.
Kim Min-jae's transfer has not yet reached a definite stage. The fact that Munich currently has no intention of letting him go, and that no specific offer from PSG has been formalized, are variables.
As Kim Min-jae pushes for a transfer to PSG, another special connection is being highlighted. This is the possibility of reuniting with South Korean midfielder Lee Kang-in. The two players have already teamed up several times on the national team, forming the backbone of Korean football.
If Kim Min-jae heads to Paris and Lee Kang-in stays, a rare scene of the two Korean players working together on the European stage is expected to unfold. This could serve as a boost to the status of Korean football in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League.
Another intriguing connection is with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Kim Min-jae and Khvicha are former teammates at SSC Napoli, where they collaborated to win the Serie A title in the 2022-23 season.
At that time, the two players played key roles in defense and attack, leading Napoli's surge. Recently, there have been constant speculations about Khvicha's transfer to PSG, increasing the likelihood that the two will don the same uniform in Paris once again. Fans are eagerly awaiting whether the fantastic chemistry from their Napoli days can be recreated on the French stage.
Especially right after the quarterfinals of the recent Club World Cup, Kim Min-jae showcased his enduring friendship by taking a photo with Lee Kang-in and Khvicha.
If the interests of PSG, which are in urgent need of defensive reinforcement, align with Kim Min-jae, who is weary of competition for starting positions and tactical neglect, the possibility of a transfer is sufficient.
[OSEN]